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“It is Soft Hand who comes, Running Deer,” I said, giving 
myself the name which the Indians had bestowed upon me. 
Page 29. Frontispiece When Washington Served the King 


When Washington 
Served the King 


A Boys Story of Border Warfare in 1754 


By JAMES OTIS 

Author of “With Washington at Monmouth,” “With Warren 
at Bunker Hill,” “With Lafayette at Yorktown,” 
etc., etc. 



With Six Page Illustrations by J. Watson Davis 


A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 
NEW YORK 



LIBRARY of G0NGME3S 
(wu Copiest rfticcivou 

JUL 20 I 9 U 5 

CopyriifTii tiiiry 
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CLASb CL. AAc. Nui 

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COPY B. 

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COPYRIGHT T 905 

By a. Iv. BURT COMPANY 


WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING 
By Janies Otis 


C>5--2.‘30»« 


p 


NOTE. 

There have been no additions made to the inci- 
dents of Major Washington’s march from Wil- 
liamsburg to Fort Le Boeuf, or, in fact, to any por- 
tion of the true account. The persons described 
herein were those who actually accompanied him 
in 1753 and 1754, and in no single instance has 
any adventure been imagined or elaborated upon. 

Washington’s private journal ; Samuel Gist’s 
report to the Ohio Company, and Governor 
Dinwiddie’s letters regarding the several matters 
referred to, have been drawn upon for all the 
material used. 

The Author. 


iii 



ONLY A EEMINDER. 


Canada, from the year 1608, when the first 
permanent settlement was made, had been in the 
undisputed possession of the French. Both the 
French and English claimed the lands in the 
Western Continent, by the right of prior dis- 
covery, and possession or settlement, without any 
regard to the right of the native inhabitants. 

‘‘The claims founded on discovery and actual 
occupation had hitherto covered but a small 
portion of the continent, and the European 
nations, by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, ad- 
justed, in a superficial manner, the distribution 
of North America between the three dominant 
powers, England, France and Spain. This agree- 
ment was very imperfect, however, inasmuch as 
the colonies of these three powers occupied but a 
narrow band along the Atlantic coast ; and though 
their charters claimed the whole country from 
sea to sea, yet as they were entirely unacquainted 
with those vast regions, it was not improbable 
that they would soon be again involved in new 
difficulties respecting boundaries. 

“ In 1673, a party of French from Canada dis- 

V 


vi 


ONLY A REMINDER. 


covered the upper waters of the Mississippi river, 
at the spot at which it is joined by the Wisconsin ; 
and sailing down it as far as the Arkansas, they 
decided from its course that it emptied into the 
Gulf of Mexico. They then returned by land to 
Canada. 

On this discovery the French nation based its 
right to the great Mississippi valley. Having 
sailed down the river, they claimed all the lands 
watered by its tributaries. They afterwards took 
possession of the country lying near the mouth 
of the river, and about the year 1722, a small 
colony was planted at New Orleans. In ten or 
twelve years their settlements in Louisiana in- 
creased and began to extend up the Mississippi. 

‘‘Thus the French possessed two considerable 
colonies, one of them north, and the other south, 
of the English possessions. Their settlers from 
Canada approaching the Ohio river, and those of 
Louisiana manifesting a disposition to occupy 
the valley of the Mississippi, the project was 
formed of connecting these two colonies by means 
of a chain of forts, running along the Ohio, and 
down the Mississippi. This plan interfered with 
the chartered rights of the English, extending 
from sea to sea, and would have confined them to 
the, eastern side of the Alleghany mountains. 


ONLY A REMINDER. 


vii 


The Indians, too, who had hitherto been friendly 
to the English settlers of Virginia, becoming 
alarmed for their safety, began to side with their 
nearer neighbors, and by them they were soon 
instigated to make depredations on their former 
friends. 

‘‘ Already had the French, by the erection of a 
strong fort at Crown Point, secured the command 
of Lake Champlain, and a connected chain of 
posts was maintained from Quebec, up the St. 
Lawrence, and along the great lakes ; until at 
last they approached the Ohio, and entered on 
the territory which had been actually granted 
by charter, to the colony of Virginia. 

^^The English traders were warned not to 
enter the country claimed by the French to trade 
with the Indians. A few, disregarding the warn- 
ing, were captured and carried as prisoners to 
Presque Isle,* on Lake Erie, where the French 
were then erecting a strong fort. This was done, 
too, when the two nations were at peace with each 
other: 1753. 

‘‘ The Indians, instigated it is supposed by 
French emissaries, commenced their savage war- 
fare. The great valley of the Shenandoah was 
then but thinly peopled. The farmers who had 
*Now the city of Erie, Pa. 


viii 


ONLY A REMINDER. 


ventured so far from the civilized world seemed 
careless about the society of their species, and 
took up their positions out of sight of even the 
smoke from their neighbors’ chimneys. These 
isolated families often suffered from the incur- 
sions of the savages, who spared neither age nor 
sex. The near approach of their old enemies, 
the French, and the ascendency which they were 
known to possess over the wild savages of the 
forest, naturally filled these desolate families 
with fear. They called upon the governor of 
Virginia for aid. 

‘‘ Governor Dinwiddie had already despatched 
a messenger over the mountains, with presents 
for the Indians, and instructions to ascertain 
their temper and designs, and, if possible, to find 
out the intentions of the French. He, however, 
became alarmed at the tales told him by the 
Indians, to whom he delivered his presents, and 
returned without effecting his object, 

‘‘ Orders now arrived from the British ministry, 
for the governor of Virginia to build two forts 
near the Ohio river, to prevent the encroach- 
ments of the French, and to hold the Indians in 
check. But the orders arrived too late. The 
French had already taken possession of the terri- 
tory bordering on the Ohio. 


ONLY A REMINDER. 


ix 


‘‘Thus commenced the Seven Years^ War in 
America ; called, by the provincial soldiers who 
were engaged in it, the Old French War. It was 
destined to develop the military talents and 
energies of Washington, and to transfer the 
possession of Canada and the other northern 
provinces of America, from France to G-reat 
Britain. 

“The French having taken possession of the 
country and built forts in different places on the 
Ohio, Grovernor Dinwiddie, in obedience to the 
orders of the British ministry, determined to 
assert the right of his king, as well as that of the 
province of Virginia, to the stations thus occu- 
pied, and if possible effect their dislodgment. 
For this purpose he deemed it advisable, at first, 
to despatch an envoy to the French commandant, 
ordering him to retire from the territories of the 
British. This service was one of great delicacy, 
and full of danger and difficulty. The envoy 
would be under the necessity of passing through 
an extensive and almost unexplored wilderness, 
intersected with rugged mountains and consider- 
able rivers, and inhabited by fierce savages, who 
were either hostile to the English or of doubtful 
attachment. 

Such were the difficulties and dangers of the 


X 


ONLY A REMINDER. 


service that not one of the many aids and imme- 
diate attendants on the governor offered to un- 
dertake it, and Dinwiddie began to fear that it 
would be necessary to abandon the project. 

In this crisis Washington, then only twenty- 
one years of age, volunteered his services. 

‘ ‘ The governor, a kind-hearted old Scotchman, 
thankfully accepted the proffer, saying, at the 
same time, that if he conducted himself to his 
satisfaction and that of the council, he would have 
no cause to repent having undertaken the mis- 
sion. 

On the 30th of October, 1753, Washington 
received his commission and instructions from the 
governor, together with a letter to the French 
commander, inquiring into his designs and the 
authority by which he dared to invade the domin- 
ions of the King of England, and ordering him 
forthwith to evacuate the territory of Virginia. 
Besides delivering this message, his instructions 
required him to obtain information of the posi- 
tion, force and designs of the French through 
the aid of the friendly Indians on the borders.” 


CONTENT'S 


CHAPTER PAGE 


I. WHY I WRITE THIS STORY ... i 


H. 

THE FIRST BI,dW . 


• 

• 

• 

ft 


25 

III. 

A SKIRMISH . 

. 

• 

• 

ft 

ft 

49 

IV. 

AN ANGRY INTERPRETER 

• 

• 

ft 

ft 

73 

V. 

A FRENCH TRICK . 

. 

• 

• 

ft 

ft 

98 

VI. 

AT HEADQUARTERS 

. 

• 

ft 

ft 

ft 

123 

VH. 

VENANGO 

• 

• 


ft 

ft 

147 

VIII. 

TURNING BACK 

. 


• 

ft 

ft 

172 

IX. 

ALONE 






196 

X. 

THE WAR-PARTY . 

• 

• 

• 


ft 

220 

XI. 

UNTIL the thaw 

• 

• 

• 


• 

244 

XII. 

AT WILL’S 'HREEK 

. 


• 



269 

XIII. 

AT GREAT MEADOWS 

. 

• 

ft 



294 

XIV. 

THE ATTACK . 

• 

• 

ft 



319 

XV. 

THE PRISONER 

• 

• 

ft 

ft 


345 

XVI. 

THE SURRENDER . 


• 

ft 

ft 


371 


When Washington Served the King 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


“It is Soft Hand who comes, Running Deer,” I said, giv- 
ing myself the name which the Indians had bestowed 
upon me Frontispiece 

PAGE 


Running Deer seized me roughly by the shoulder to draw 
me nearer, and said, “ I shall kill the Dutchman before 
morning.” io6 

Major Washington did not wait to be announced; but pass- 
ing the sentinels came upon Half-King and the French- 
man drinking from the same bottle of rum 150 

Master Gist gave us a hand and in a few minutes we were 

both on the frail craft once more 184 - 

I led my horse out into the thicket, and before mounting, 
put up a prayer for my safe return 198 

Step by step Van Braam moved toward his antagonist, who 
remained rigid as stone 267 


n 


When Washington Served the King 




















WHEN WASHINGTON SEEVED THE KING. 


CHAPTEE I. 

WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 

IN WINTER QUARTERS AT VALLEY FORGE. 

February the mh, 1778. 

It is seemly that I make my apologies for at- 
tempting to set down in order that others may 
read, that which happened when our commander- 
in-chief was only a major, and I, John Davidson, 
a hulking lad of nineteen, then but lately released 
from captivity among the savages. 

If it had been my good fortune to have fitted 
myself for the office of clerk, as was my desire 
before being taken prisoner by the Indians, then 
might it be possible for me to carry out in proper 
fashion the suggestion made by General, the 
Baron Steuben, no longer ago than yesterday ; but, 
as may be seen, I am undertaking the task re- 
gardless of my many imperfections, and by way 
of apology will explain why I have dared to make 
the effort. 


1 


2 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

We, meaning the American army, left White- 
marsh on the 11th day of last December to 
come into winter quarters here while the red- 
coats are living on the fat of the land in Phila- 
delphia. 

The march was unusually long because of the 
fact that many of us are put to it hardly for 
shoes, which renders traveling a sore hardship, 
and not until the 19th day of the month did the 
last of our column arrive, looking more like 
beggars than soldiers who count on freeing this 
fair land from the oppressive rule of the king. 

Immediately after our arrival an order was 
issued from headquarters, calling upon all men 
who had enough of clothing to permit of their 
moving about without absolute suffering, to build 
huts after the following description : 

“Each to be fourteen feet by sixteen on the 
ground ; the sides, ends and roofs made with 
logs ; the roofs made tight with clay ; a fireplace 
made of wood, and secured with clay on the in- 
side, eighteen inches thick ; this fireplace to be 
in the rear of the hut ; the door to be in the end 
next the street ; the doors to be made of split oak 
slabs, unless boards can be procured ; the side 
walls to be six feet and a half high.” 

When that labor had been performed the in- 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


3 


spector-general, Baron Steuben, set about making 
real soldiers of us, for we needed much licking 
into shape, as any who saw us last fall will admit. 
The daily drills were of benefit to us in more ways 
than one, since such work served to prevent our 
minds from dwelling constantly upon our homes, 
thereby engendering a longing which at times 
threatened to be a veritable sickness. 

As a matter of course there are many days when 
it is impossible to go through the evolutions be- 
cause of storms, and I have come to look forward 
with something very like horror upon those hours 
of enforced idleness, when one cannot refrain from 
speculating upon the result in case the king’s 
forces succeed in whipping us. 

And just now it would not require a very heavy 
force to crush this entire army, for I am told that 
we are not above ten thousand in number, half 
clad, hungry and homesick, while in Philadelphia, 
Howe has near to twenty thousand men fit for 
duty even during this season of the year. There- 
fore one may see that it is of the highest impor- 
tance our officers prevent us from dwelling upon 
the possibilities of the future. 

Yesterday I was trying to fashion a pair of 
breeches out of a well-worn blanket I bought 
from a militiaman of New Jersey, and allowing 


4 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


myself to think longingly of the home in Vir- 
ginia, when General, the Baron Steuben, walk- 
ing slowly along the regimental street, espied me. 
He must have seen written on my face the misery 
which was in my heart, for he halted as I arose 
to salute, and said kindly : 

‘‘I have just heard. Lieutenant Davidson, that 
you were acting as Indian interpreter for our 
commander-in-chief, when he, then only a major 
in the Virginia forces, was sent on a particularly 
dangerous mission?” 

I have set down this speech as it would have 
been had the general been able to speak English 
as we do, for I cannot hope to make up the words 
of such letters that one can read them, for his 
was an exceedingly odd accent. 

It is also necessary to explain that I hold a 
commission in the Life Guard, that body of men 
which is constantly near the commander, and 
was promoted to the company by General Wash- 
ington himself because of services which I was so 
fortunate as to have rendered him in 1753 and 
1754, when we were under the orders of Gov- 
ernor Dinwiddie of Virginia. 

Because General, the Baron Steuben, had 
stated no more than what all knew to be a fact, 
and since there was good reason for me to be 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


6 


proud of having served under our commander 
when he was a major, I at once replied to the 
question as might have been expected. 

‘‘ There must have been many hardships en- 
countered during that journey and the siege of 
Fort Necessity, which were far worse than any 
you experience here ? ” 

Ay, sir,” I replied, my mind going hack rap- 
idly into the past. ‘‘We saw much of suffering 
in those days.” 

“And yet now you are giving way to home- 
sickness ? ” he said, rather than asked, with a 
pleasant smile on his lips. 

I was ashamed to confess the fact, and yet could 
not deny it, therefore hung my head like a lad of 
twenty, instead of a gray-haired man of near 
about forty-five. 

“ Why do you not write down that story. Lieu- 
tenant Davidson ? ” the inspector-general asked 
as if it was really a matter which interested him. 
“It would prevent your mind from straying 
back to Virginia during these idle days, and might 
he good reading for some of us here who think 
men never suffered before as do we.” 

“ But I am no scholar, my general.” 

“Well? What need to choose your words 
when setting down that which will stir the blood 


6 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

of ever}^ brave man ? Write it out, lieutenant, 
and if it serves no other purpose than to make 
one man in this encampment forget his troubles, 
then you have been well repaid.” 

Even after that speech I would have protested 
that I could not perform the task properly ; but 
he gave me no opportunity for further words 
with him, since he walked rapidly away, crying 
out over his shoulder as he went : 

‘‘Write the story of what the commander and 
you did when you were lads, and bring to me each 
day the pages which have been filled with the 
story.” 

We are hungry here at Valley Forge ; even 
the horses are starving to death. We suffer con- 
tinually from the cold, and oftentimes when it 
snows at night we awaken to find ourselves cov- 
ered with a blanket of ice. One cannot prevent 
himself from becoming gloomy as to the future, 
nor from longing for home, therefore, as Gen- 
eral the Baron suggested, it may be that I can 
keep one man from thinking of the possibili- 
ties by writing out the story, and that one man 
will be myself, therefore I shall make the 
attempt, although almost any other could do it 
better. 

And this is my apology for undertaking that 


WHY 1 WRITE THIS STORY. Y 

which is likely to prove a task far beyond my 
poor powers. 

* * * * * * * 

In the year 1751 I was released from captivity 
through the efforts of Master Lewis Burwell, 
who at that time was acting governor of Vir- 
ginia, I having been held a prisoner by the Dela- 
wares near to ten years. 

I was nine years old when my father’s house, 
situate about forty miles north of Williamsburg, 
was attacked and both my parents cruelly mur- 
dered. 

Of my life while in the hands of the savages it 
is not necessary I should speak, since my only 
purpose in writing is to relate the adventures 
which I shared with General Washington when 
he was no higher on the military ladder than a 
simple major. 

It was by no means an easy task for me to 
enter suddenly into the life of the white people, 
and during a time I was almost as near being 
starved as I am to-day here at Valley Forge, 
through not knowing how to turn my hand to 
such labor as would bring money into my keeping. 

Indeed, more than once was I tempted to go 
back to the Delawares, for savages though they 
were, I could find some among them whom I 


8 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


might call friends ; while in Williamsburg, where 
the houses crowded one against another in many 
places, there was no person who cared whether I 
lived or died. 

In the year 1752 Master Eobert Dinwiddie was 
appointed lieutenant-governor of the colony, and 
immediately after coming into the office he desired 
to send out messengers to the Indian tribes near 
about soliciting their friendship. Then it was 
that I found opportunity to earn my bread, for 
employment was given me as interpreter under 
those who desired to hold communication with 
the savages, and in such capacity was I serving 
when it became known that the governor purposed 
to send a messenger over the mountains to learn 
what was being done by the French in the way 
of stirring up discontent against the English 
among the red men. 

Fearing lest some other might be taken in my 
stead, I begged permission to accompany the 
messenger, and before we were two days’ journey 
from Williamsburg I sincerely regretted having 
done so, for he who had been sent as the gov- 
ernor’s mouthpiece was as rank a coward as ever 
stepped. 

He soon lost the small remnant of courage 
which remained to him from having lived among 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


9 


brave men, and came back at full speed like a 
whipped cur, when I would have agreed to travel 
alone as far as the great lakes, 

.As might have been expected by one who knew 
as well as did I to what lengths the French set- 
tlers would go in way of double dealing, matters in 
the colony grew from bad to worse, until even a 
child might have seen that the Virginians must 
make some move unless they were willing their 
lands should be overrun by enemies both red and 
white. 

While staying in the town I had heard of the 
young man Washington, who, when only nine- 
teen years old, had been made adjutant-general 
of the northern district of the colony, and holding 
the rank of major, and had not hesitated to say 
openly that it would have been better for all in 
Virginia if such an important office had been 
given to a man of experience, instead of to a 
boy. 

My opinion underwent a decided change, how- 
ever, on the day the young officer entered Wil- 
liamsburg for the purpose of volunteering to 
act as the governor’s representative among the 
savages. 

There must have been a brave heart in the 
bosom of a lad who would seek such a mission 


10 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


after the first messenger had returned with his 
doleful tale of danger, and I watched him care- 
fully when he went to present himself before the 
governor. 

There was much in the lad to admire ; but at 
the outset I put it down to the fact that he had 
been one of the king’s officers these two years, 
and was come to feel his uniform,” as the say- 
ing goes. 

This time I did not seek the position of inter- 
preter, for I had no desire to travel two or three 
days for the sole purpose of running back to the 
town ; but before nightfall of the same day on 
which the young major appeared before the gov- 
ernor, he sought me out, much as if I had been 
his equal in station. 

I am in search of a brave man who can hold 
converse with the Indians between here and the 
great lakes, and am told that you are such an 
one,” he began, and my heart warmed toward 
him, more because of his manner of speaking, than 
for the words of fiattery. 

The commands of the governor will be obeyed 
by me,” I said, when he paused as if for reply. 

‘‘ But I seek one who will go because of the 
service he may render the colony,” he added, 
speaking sharply and eying me closely. 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


11 


How far toward the mountains do you count 
on going ? ” I asked, and he said with more of 
vinegar than sugar in his speech : 

“ I have failed of making myself understood, 
or you are dull of hearing, if it has not been made 
plain that I intend to speak with the French 
commandant before my return.” 

‘‘Have you been told of the difficulties in the 
path, and that already has one man sent out 
by the governor returned because of the many 
dangers encountered ? ” I asked, determined to 
try his spirit even though he was two years my 
senior, and high above me in station. 

“Look you, John Davidson,” and now the 
young major spoke in a tone of mingled authority 
and impatience. “ I know full well what lays 
before him who would cross the mountains now 
that the French are exciting the Indians against 
us of this colony, and you may spare your breath 
with me, to expend it in fanciful stories for those 
who are eager to listen to such. I need one who 
can speak the Indian language ; but at the same 
time it would be better to go without an inter- 
preter, than take in my company a man who 
might be willing to turn back before the task 
was accomplished.” 

Then it was I knew the young major was 


12 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


entitled to the rank which had been conferred 
upon him, and I said without further parley : 

It will please me right well to travel with a 
man who, knowing all that is in the path, counts 
on going ahead. If you are willing to trust me, 
I will not he the one who first speaks of turning 
back.” 

‘‘Very well, I believe you will keep your word. 
Make ready to leave Williamsburg to-morrow 
morning. We will find the remainder of our 
party at Fredericksburg.” 

It would have pleased me better had the lad 
decided that we two should go alone, for then 
would there be the more credit after the mission 
had been performed, as I believed it would be 
since conversing with him ; but it was not for 
me to make even so much as a suggestion to my 
commander, and I held my peace. 

Then it was, he took me by the hand as if we 
had been equals, and I said to myself, that whatso- 
ever the peril, the lad would find me close by his 
side, and he should not be overcome until after 
I was dead or had been made prisoner. 

It appeared much as if the governor had set 
his heart upon the success of our mission, for 
even while I was making ready for what I knew 
full well would be a long journey, though all the 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


13 


dangers and difficulties had been smoothed out 
of our path, word was brought that his excellency 
would speak with me. 

I had been inside the government house many 
times since Governor Dinwiddie ruled the colony, 
therefore it did not abash me to force my way 
through the throng of people which could ever 
be found in and about the building during the 
hours of daylight. There were black slaves who 
would remain in bondage while they lived ; in- 
dentured servants who looked forward to being 
their own masters after they had paid by service 
the cost of bringing them from England, to- 
gether with a fair profit to the master of the 
ship or the trader who made the venture ; and a 
sprinkling of vagabond Indians who came into 
town with the hope of wheedling gifts from the 
citizens. 

All these might be found near about the govern- 
ment house, and when one had forced a passage 
into the main hall which led to the council cham- 
ber of his excellency, then was it necessary to 
satisfy this soldier or that officer as to the right 
of entrance ; but I was known at the house of 
the governor, therefore but short time was re- 
quired in order to let it be understood that I had 
answered the summons. 


14 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


His excellency might have spared himself the 
trouble of sending for me, since he had done so 
simply in order to urge that I make every effort 
to bring the enterprise to a successful con- 
clusion. 

Such words were but the wasting of breath, 
for I would do more to aid the major because in 
him I saw a brave man, than if the governor of 
Virginia had commanded me in the name of the 
king, threatening direst punishment in case of 
failure. 

However, I spoke his excellency most respect- 
fully, as one in my station should have done, and 
promisecj all he required, although such pledge 
was not needed, for if the major and I lived, we 
would go through to the headquarters of the 
French commandant, and in event of coming to 
our death that side of Fort Le Boeuf, I would 
surely be absolved of my promise. 

The governor gave me twenty shillings that I 
might add to my outfit if necessary, and also 
handed me an order to the officer in charge of 
the magazine, directing him to supply me with 
as much powder and as many balls as I might 
require. 

When I had procured the ammunition, shaped 
a new pair of moccasins to my feet, and begged 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


15 


a few spare flints from the captain of the gover- 
nor’s guard, my preparations for the journey 
had been made, and I laid down to sleep even 
though it was yet earl}’- in the afternoon, for he 
who takes advantage of every opportunity to rest 
his body is better fitted for the hardships to be 
encountered. 

The light of a new day was yet pale in the 
eastern sky when a black slave came to my quar- 
ters with the word that Major Washington was 
waiting for me in front of the college, and, stop- 
ping only long enough to take from the bench a 
strip of dried meat which I had left there the 
night previous to serve me as breakfast^ I has- 
tened to the rendezvous. 

The young officer, mounted on a bay thorough- 
bred with a fine-looking animal held by a black 
man near at hand, was eating his morning meal, 
and to my great surprise it was the same as mine 
— dried venison. 

He, I had been told, belonged to one of the 
first families in Virginia, and had he been so dis- 
posed might have traveled with as much state 
as the lieutenant-governor himself. 

Therefore it was that a sense of satisfaction 
and content came upon me, as I contrasted this 
young gentleman with the one I had last served 


16 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

while trying to perform the same mission with 
which the major was intrusted. The other rep- 
resentative of the governor had taken breakfast 
with his excellency, but I had no reason to grum- 
ble, having been fed generously in the kitchen of 
the government house. On that day we did not 
leave town until nearly noon, and then many of 
the citizens gathered around to see us set off ; 
but we took good care they did not witness our 
return. 

This time we were beginning the work in 
proper fashion ; a frugal breakfast hurriedly 
eaten, and a gallop out of town before any one 
was stirring. 

If Major Washington continued to travel in 
this manner, nothing save death or captivity 
would prevent our finishing the journey as the 
governor desired. 

The beast which had been provided for me 
was a good one, as I understood when I felt the 
play of his sinewy limbs beneath me after we 
settled down to the stride which was to be held 
until the horses were in need of a breathing 
spell. 

It was the 31st day of October, in the year of 
grace 1763. 

There is no good reason why I set down every 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


17 


detail of our journey before we arrived at the 
border of the wilderness through which it was 
necessary we should pass, therefore I will content 
myself by saying that when we came to Fred- 
ericksburg, Jacob Van Braam, a Dutchman who 
had given lessons in fencing to the young major, 
was engaged as interpreter among the French, 
and we pushed forward with no more delay than 
was absolutely necessary for the welfare of the 
horses. 

I was not very partial to Dutchmen, for I never 
saw one who could be taught to move through 
the forest with less noise than would be made by 
a yoke of oxen, and he who travels w’ith such a 
companion might as well take along a trumpeter 
to announce his approach. 

Master Van Braam was said to be a very wor- 
thy gentleman, however, one who could use a 
rapier as an Indian can a tomahawk, and I came to 
learn that he might not be depended upon in a 
fight, while I never saw a man so terribly clumsy 
among the underbrush. 

The Dutchman was outfitted with a horse, as I 
had been, and he flattered himself that the major 
intended to compliment him by providing for his 
use a beast which far surpassed mine in good 

looks ; but my steed was worth half a dozen like 
2 


18 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


his, and such fact Master Van Braam understood 
before we were come to the end of our journey. 

We laid about fifteen hours in Fredericksburg, 
and then set out once more, pressing the horses 
moderately hard until, at the close of the four- 
teenth day from Williamsburg, we were come to 
where Will’s Creek empties into the Potomac 
river,* at which point was a settlement of nine 
huts occupied chiefiy by men who traded with the 
Indians. 

At this place we were hard by the wilderness ; 
we had come to an end of roads and the dwellings 
of white people, until we were among our enemies, 
and from this spot, so I said to myself, our Dutch- 
man would prove himself a decided incumbrance. 

To travel with such an elephant as was he, in a 
country where one’s life may depend upon silence 
and watchfulness, was to my mind the most dan- 
gerous portion of the enterprise : I feared Master 
Van Braam more than I did either the savages or 
the French, for these last we could steal away 
from, while he we must always have with us if 
we did our duty. 

At this last settlement of English people I 
learned that the major had no idea of traveling 
with us interpreters as his only companions, and 
* Now Cumberland, in Maryland. 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


19 


it vexed me that the party should number so many, 
although I afterward understood that but for these 
new companions I should of a verity have left my 
scalp on the wrong side of the mountains. 

Major Washington hired two Indian traders — 
Michael Currin and Thomas McQuire — as guides, 
and two of their servants — Henry Steward and 
James Jenkins — to take care of the horses, or 
perform any labor which might be necessary. 

This swelled the number of our party to seven, 
and even while I mourned because we were so 
many, Samuel Gist, he who had served the Ohio 
Company as guide and was now making a planta- 
tion between the northwestern ridge of the Alle- 
ghanies and the Monongahela river, joined us. 

Master Gist had traversed the wilderness as far 
as the great lakes no less than three times, and 
because of his familiarity with the country, Major 
Washington believed it would be no more than 
prudent to take him with our party. 

Thus it was that we struck into the forest a 
company of eight, all mounted, on the 14th day 
of November, and from the moment the trees 
shut out from our view the log huts of the tra- 
ders, I knew, as did all save the Dutchman, that 
we must be on the alert it we would save our 
scalps. 


20 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

The traders told me, as I have no doubt they 
had already informed the major, that the French 
had succeeded full well in their attempts to excite 
the Indians against the English, and it was be- 
cause the savages were evidently on the verge of 
beginning hostilities against the settlers, that 
these merchants had remained at Will’s Creek, 
instead of hunting in the wilderness to find buyers 
for their wares. 

Master McQuire I had heard of before ; had 
seen him when I was held a captive among the 
Delawares, and knew that he was spoken of as a 
man of courage, one who would not be likely to 
let his fears run away either with his judgment 
or the opportunity of making a shilling in the 
way of trade, therefore did I put every confidence 
in what these men told us, and held myself ac- 
cordingly. 

The Dutch fencing-master, however, could not 
be persuaded that we were in any real danger so 
near the settlement, and, in order to prove his 
courage, I suppose, began to sing loudly when we 
were full ten miles from the creek, in a most prom- 
ising place to find an ambuscade. 

Major Washington quickly put an end to his 
howling, however, and it was comical to see Mas- 
ter Van Braam stare at the lad who had once 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


21 


been his pupil, for I fancy he_^believed he was priv- 
ileged to do much as he pleased. 

Our young commander was one who could give 
an order in such a tone as told that it must be 
obeyed to the letter, or trouble would ensue, and 
the Dutchman shut his mouth very tightly ; but 
at once fell into a fit of the sulks from which no 
one made any effort to arouse him, because we 
needed to have our ears, eyes and wits on the 
alert every moment if we counted on remaining 
very long in this world. 

It must be understood that at this season of the - 
year the Alleghanies were covered with snow, and 
our way led directly over them. The streams in 
the valleys were swollen by the fall rains, and 
there were many to be crossed by means of rafts, 
for it was not likely we could find a ford on any 
of them. The snows of winter would be upon us 
before we could arrive at the end of our journey 
however rapidly it might be made, and, above all, 
stood the ever-present danger from foes, both 
French and Indian. 

When we took up the line of march on leaving 
the settlement, our leader counted on traveling 
in advance ; but to this the traders and Master 
Gist openly remonstrated. 

It was necessary, so they said, and I knew it to 


22 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

be true, that much scouting be done, and this 
work was to be performed by Masters Gist, Cur- 
rin and McQuire. 

The young officer seemed to think some one 
might question his courage if he did not lead the 
way ; but he was forced to come into line when 
Master Gist said flatly that he would turn back 
at once unless we went on in proper fashion, using 
much more caution than ever because our enemies 
were so many in numbers. 

When Major Washington reined his horse in 
order that the three men might ride ahead, he 
said to me in a low tone : 

‘‘1 am of the opinion, John Davidson, that we 
two might have made the journey alone.” 

And that same thought has been in my mind, 
sir, from the moment I learned we were to have 
company.” 

Yet the traders can be of great service,” he 
said half to himself, as if making excuses for add- 
ing so many to the party, and I, hoping to put 
him more at ease, said promptly : 

“ That we shall need their aid there can be no 
question ; because of what they can do we will 
flnish our business more quickly ; but I have fears 
of the Dutchman.” 

For a moment it was as if he failed to under- 


WHY I WRITE THIS STORY. 


23 


stand me, and then as a smile played over his face, 
he replied : 

Oh, you mean Van Braam ? He knows little 
of woodcraft, it is true ; but I fancy he can he 
made to hold his tongue when it is inclined to wag 
too freely.” 

As if to contradict this statement, the Dutch- 
man called loudly to Master Gist, who was hid- 
den from our view by the foliage, and the major 
was about to utter some word of caution or a rep- 
rimand, when Master Currin appeared, riding 
toward us, saying when within earshot : 

‘^Unless yon idiot puts a stopper on his tongue, 
we are not like to advance many miles further ! ” 

At the term idiot ” the Dutchman broke out 
into a torrent of threats as to what he would do, 
when our major rode to his side, laying a hand on 
his bridle rein, and speaking in a low tone. 

What he said to check that stream of words so 
suddenly I know not ; but certain it is that Mas- 
ter Van Braam was so quickly reduced to silence 
that one would have thought he had been stricken 
dumb. 

It was well that our leader had such a firm com- 
mand over the Dutchman, for it seemed to me as 
if the man had hardly more than been quieted 
and Master Currin disappeared from view, when 


24 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

we were saluted b}’ a volley of bullets from a 
thicket hard by, which had evidently escaped the 
notice of the scouts, and we heard the ear-splitting 
yell, so familiar to me, of the Delawares. 

In the merest fraction of time each member of 
the party, even including Master Van Braam, had 
sought shelter behind the nearest tree or the 
densest clump of bushes. 

I searched with my eyes for the enemy, aiid at 
the same time something like fear crept into my 
heart, for if all the Delawares had gone over to 
the French, then certain it was we would never 
succeed in making our way across the mountains. 


CHAPTER II. 


THE FIRST BLOW. 

The first thought which came into my mind as 
I spurred my horse within the shelter of a huge 
pine tree and dismounted, was that Governor Din- 
widdie had better reason than he dreamed of for 
sending out scouts to ascertain the temper of the 
savages. Of a verity had the French succeeded 
in exciting them, otherwise we would not have 
been attacked so near the settlement of the traders, 
which was not above ten miles distant. 

These Indians, whatever their tribe, were far 
from their homes, and the ambuscade told plainly 
that they were already on the war-path, unless, 
as I hoped most fervently, it was only a small 
party of young men who had ventured forth with- 
out the sanction of their elders. 

However, I had little time for speculation. It 
was necessary I do my full share of the work and 
a little more, if I would win the favor of the 
major whom I was beginning to admire, and be- 
fore attempting to creep up on the unseen foe I 
noted the positions of my companions. 


26 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

The two traders and Master Gist were some- 
where beyond the enemy ; Major Washington was 
standing behind a thicket of fir, and near him, ly- 
ing fiat upon the ground, was the valiant Dutch- 
man who had evidently dropped from the saddle 
in terror, giving no heed to his steed. Steward 
and Jenkins were safely sheltered behind the trees 
a short distance to the right of where I stood. 

Even as I gazed quickly around a bullet chipped 
off a twig within an inch of my ear, warning me 
that it might be well to attend to my own busi- 
ness instead of trying to learn how my neighbors 
were behaving. 

Fastening the bridle reins to a small sapling, I 
began an advance at full length upon the ground, 
working my body along much as does a snake, 
and hidden from view, as I supposed, of friend or 
foe by the underbrush. 

That the major was on the alert and knew full 
well what one who had had experience in battling 
with Indians might try to do, I understood when 
he said in a half whisper, speaking in a low tone 
lest he attract the attention of our enemies to me : 

^‘It is not allowed that one shall take upon 
himself more of danger than another. We must 
remain together until it is known what the scouts 
are doing.” 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


27 


This was neither more nor less than a direct com- 
mand for me to come back, for by this time I was 
five or six paces in advance of the leader, and while 
one might have counted twenty I remained motion- 
less, tempted to disobey, but unwilling to provoke 
his anger. 

While thus halting, as it were, I saw amid the 
foliage the feathers of an Indian, and in a twink- 
ling had taken deliberate aim. 

A shrill cry of pain following the discharge of 
my gun told that the bullet had found its mark, 
and I scrambled back quickly, understanding 
full well that the smoke would serve to show the 
savages where I had been hidden. 

Before I could gain the thicket where my horse 
had been left, the reports of three muskets rang 
out in the distance, telling that our scouts were 
engaged, and as I rose to my feet the waving of 
the bushes gave proof of the flight of those who 
had been in ambush. 

Now it was I burned to rush forward, for 
much might be done while the Indians were in 
flight ; but the major remained motionless, and, 
after what had been said, I felt bound to follow his 
example. 

After a brief interval came the crack of mus- 
ketry, as if our scouts, having reloaded their 


28 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


weapons, were in close pursuit, and I so far forgot 
my station in the intense desire to strike a blow, 
that I cried to the major : 

‘‘ Now is the time when we should press for- 
ward ! We can cut them down as they flee ! ” 

^‘It will be well flrst to know if they are 
really in retreat, or simply trying to draw us into 
another ambuscade,” he replied dryly, and even 
as he spoke a bullet whistled through the air in 
its flight toward me, having been sent from the 
place where I believed lay a dead or wounded 
Indian. 

Had I started in pursuit, as was my inclination, 
of a verity that unseen foe had compassed my 
death, and there came into my mind the belief 
that our young leader knew quite as much, if not 
more, regarding Indian warfare than did I who 
had spent so many years among the savages. 

Not until we heard the reports of muskets far 
in the distance did Major Washington give me 
permission to advance, by saying in a cautious 
whisper : 

It will be well for us to learn how many may be 
hid in yonder thicket. If I mistake not, one of 
the band has been left behind, wounded by your 
bullet, and it stands us in hand to prevent him 
from doing mischief. You may creep around to 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


29 


the left, while I go to the right ; hut withhold your 
fire unless it becomes absolutely necessary to 
shoot, for honest men do not kill wounded ene- 
mies.” 

As he spoke I looked around in search of the 
Dutchman, and finally saw him groveling in the 
earth beneath a small bush that covered no more 
than one-third of his body. He no longer had 
any desire to sing or indulge in loud conversation, 
and then it was I knew him for a coward who 
would be given to much speaking when no danger 
was near. 

Well, we crept up toward the thicket as the 
major had said, and very soon I came upon a 
Delaware whom I knew better than I did any of 
the people in Williamsburg. 

It was Kunning Deer, a young brave who 
belonged to the same band that had held me 
prisoner, and without stopping to think that it 
was for the major, not me, to speak first, I 
cried : 

‘‘It is Soft Hand who comes, Eunning Deer,” 
and I gave to myself the name which the Indians 
had bestowed upon me, hailing him while at a 
distance lest he should attempt to do me mischief. 
“Will you lay down your gun ? ” 

“ Was it Soft Hand who would have killed his 


30 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

brother?” the Delaware asked, throwing his 
weapon aside in token of either submission or 
amity. ‘‘Have you joined with the English to 
fight against those who fed you ? ” 

“ I am with my people, Eunning Deer, and it 
was you who fired upon us first. You -who broke 
the peace which the Delawares promised to keep 
with the English of Virginia.” 

He made no reply, and I went up to him without 
further thought of concealment, again forgetting 
that I should have waited for some word from 
my leader. 

Eunning Deer had been shot through the leg 
in such manner that he no longer had control 
over the limb, and I believed some of the muscles 
had been cut. The wound was bound tightly 
with the thongs of his moccasins to prevent the 
blood from flowing, and there was nothing I could 
do to give relief to the friend whom I had dis- 
abled. 

By this time Major Washington advanced, and, 
seeing him, Eunning Deer looked at me question- 
ingly, whereupon I told him that our party was 
but entering the wilderness to speak with his 
people in friendship. 

Before he could make reply the young major 
asked him why the Delawares had taken to the 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


31 


war-path, and why they began by lying in wait 
for those who, among all the white people, were 
the most friendly to his tribe ? 

I repeated the words, knowing that Eunning 
Deer did not understand English speech, and, on 
my own account, urged that he tell me why he 
was in war-paint. 

At first he turned away his head as if refusing 
to make reply, and the major said to me : 

‘ ‘ Get an answer from him if you can. It will 
be of great advantage to us if we can learn thus 
early exactly how the Delawares stand as between 
the colonists and the French.” 

There is no need to set down here all which 
was spoken by Eunning Deer and myself while I 
urged him to tell me plainly what his people in- 
tended to do if the French persisted in taking 
possession of the great rivers, for many words 
passed between us before he decided to trust in 
me. 

Then it was we learned that the principal chief, 
Half- King, had refused to listen to the promises 
of the French when they offered guns, powder 
and lead if the Delawares would join them in 
driving the English out of the country; but, 
chief though he was, Half-King could not re- 
strain the younger men of the tribe, the greater 


V 


32 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

number of whom were eager to render their 
services to the commandant who agreed to give 
so much. 

According to Running Deer’s story, three or 
four hundred of the Delawares had come out 
boldly in favor of the French, and he, in com- 
pany with five others — those whom Master Gist 
and the traders were pursuing — had set out to 
gather what knowledge they might concerning 
the movements of the English. 

It appeared that General Legardeur de St. 
Pierre, the French commandant, was eager to 
get early information from Williamsburg, and 
this party of braves had come on much the same 
errand as ourselves, save that we served different 
masters. 

They had been warned of our approach by the 
Dutchman’s noise, and the ambush was laid on 
the spur of the moment, instead of being a de- 
liberate plan to destroy us. 

Running Deer had told all he knew which was 
of interest to Major Washington by the time 
Master Gist and the traders returned with the in- 
formation that they had killed one of the enemy ; 
but the others had escaped apparently unharmed. 
Thus we knew that somewhere in our path were 
four savages burning with a desire to be revenged 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


33 


upon us for the deaths of their comrades, for 
they had reason to suppose Running Deer also 
had been killed. 

Instead of smoothing the path before us, we 
had only made it rougher, and from this time 
out it would be a running fight until one party 
or the other was worsted. 

While Master Gist and Major Washington 
were conversing privately a short distance away 
concerning what the Delaware had told us, the 
Dutchman and the other two members of our 
party came up, and immediately Master Van 
Braam saw that Running Deer was disabled, he 
grew exceeding brave. 

So this was the villain who tried to kill us ! ” 
he cried in his Dutch lingo, drawing a short 
sword which he carried much as one would a 
hunting knife, and but for my darting forward 
swiftly, the Dutchman would have murdered the 
helpless Indian. 

Be careful what you do, you Dutch interpre- 
ter of French ! ” I cried in a rage as I struck aside 
his sword with the butt of my gun. ‘‘It is not 
permitted that a coward shall kill a prisoner in 
cold blood ! Put up that knife or I will take it 
from you ! ” 

I know not whether it was my words or my 

3 


34 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

actions which enraged Master Van Braam most, 
but certain it was he fell into a furious passion, 
and came at me with uplifted weapon, showing 
by the expression on his face that it would not 
grieve him to kill me. 

As a matter of course I defended myself. It 
would have been quite simple to knock the knife 
from his hand ; but in event of my missing the 
first blow, he would have me at his mercy, there- 
fore I tried the surest plan, which was to level 
my gun full at his head. 

“ If you come one pace nearer I will surely kill 
you, Master Dutchman ! ’* I cried, and at the in- 
stant I spoke the major stepped forward to where 
he could clearly see what was going on. 

Master Van Braam was so thoroughly angry 
by this time that he forgot he was a coward, and 
came nearer, I venture to say, to showing cour- 
age than ever before. He must have understood 
that I would pull the trigger if he approached a 
single pace, and knew that I seldom missed my 
aim, yet he remained with uplifted sword as if 
trying to decide whether he would not put Eun- 
ning Deer to death regardless of the conse- 
quences. 

It was at this time, when an incautious word 
would have provoked bloodshed, that our major 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


35 


exercised his authority, and a worldly-wise man 
of eighty could not have done it better than did 
that almost beardless boy. 

‘‘Put up your weapons!” he cried in a low 
tone, yet one might have heard the words dis- 
tinctly at a distance of a hundred paces, and it 
would have been a far braver man than myself 
who ventured to disobey. “ Is there no danger 
of death here in the wilderness but that you must 
turn your hands to murder ? ” 

“That half-breed interfered with me,” the 
Dutchman said sulkily, and mine was a difficult 
task to keep my hands from his throat because 
of the term he used. 

Fortunately I held my peace, instead of aiding 
Van Braam in fomenting a woman’s quarrel, 
and the major asked me sharply : 

“ By what right do you pretend to interfere 
with Master Van Braam’s movements ? His 
position in this company is equal to yours, and 
his years should entitle him to respect from a 
lad.” 

“ I have no respect for one who would murder 
a prisoner, however many years he may have 
lived, sir.” 

The major turned to the Dutchman with a 
questioning look on his face ; but the coward 


36 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

made no reply, and I was bold to say, yet careful 
to speak most respectfully : 

‘‘ He would have killed Eunning Deer but that 
I stopped him, and as to the truth of what I have 
said, here are the two who saw all.” 

I turned toward Steward and Jenkins as I 
spoke, and both nodded as if to say that my words 
were true. 

“ Can it be, Master Van Braam, that you would 
kill a defenseless prisoner?” Major Washington 
asked severely, and if the Dutchman had had half 
as much sense as he had stomach, his lips would 
have remained closed. 

‘‘It is a red savage who would have shot us 
down,” he replied as if that was sufficient ex- 
planation for such a dastardly deed. 

“Soldiers and gentlemen do not murder an 
enemy,” the major said in a fine tone of sarcasm. 
“If John Davidson interfered to prevent you 
from committing such a crime, then is he to be 
highly praised.” 

Eunning Deer must have understood some- 
what of our converse, although he did not under- 
stand English, and he leaned forward to take me 
by the hand as he shot a look at the Dutchman 
which told that the interpreter of French had 
one more enemy in the wilderness than had I, 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


37 


While you might have counted five, Van Braam 
stood as if about to make some reply to the rebuke, 
and then he stepped back a few paces, still hold- 
ing the knife in his hand. 

He is a snake who will strike while you sleep,” 
Running Deer said to me, and I replied with a 
laugh, for of a verity I did not fear Dutchmen : 

He is welcome to give me the blow if he can 
catch me off my guard ; but in case he should 
make the attempt and fail, it would be a sorry 
moment for him.” 

There was too much of men’s work on hand for 
our leader to spend time over childish quarrels, 
and Major Washington called Master Grist forward 
that they might question Running Deer further. 

It goes without saying that I acted as inter- 
preter, and the Delaware, knowing I had just 
saved his life, was willing to talk more freely 
than before. 

He told us that among the chiefs. Half -King, 
Jeskakake and White Thunder stood firmest 
friends to the English of Virginia, believing that 
they only wished to trade with the Indians, while 
the French, by building forts and trading posts 
gave proof of intending to drive the first owners 
of the soil from their homes. Even at that mo- 
ment, so he said, those three chiefs had gone to 


38 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

the French commandant to make complaint, and 
it was during their absence that the younger 
braves had started out on the war-path. 

Then I, questioning Kunning Deer on my own 
account, asked why it was the young braves 
favored the French, and he said, much as he had 
before, that it was on account of the presents Com- 
mandant de St. Pierre made them, while from 
Governor Dinwiddle they had not received even 
the smallest gift. 

Well, lest I make a long story out of what should 
be a short one, it is enough to say that after 
Major Washington and Master Gist had held 
another council, during which time the Dutchman 
sulked in the thicket, the traders held converse 
one with another, the serving men fed the horses, 
and I spoke with Running Deer concerning my 
life among the white people, the journey was 
resumed ; but at a slow pace. 

Before setting out the major bade me tell the 
Delaware that he should be taken to his own 
village, if I would give up to him the use of my 
horse, and by such proposition our leader made a 
warm friend of one who could be a most bitter 
enemy. 

It can readily be supposed that I gave to the 
Delaware my place in the saddle while I walked 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


39 


by his side, for now we moved slowly because of 
knowing that enemies were near about us. 

Masters Currin and McQuire scouted in ad- 
vance ; Master Gist was forward and back as if 
believing as much danger threatened from the 
rear as the front, and in this I agreed with him 
heartily. 

The major himself must have had some such 
idea, for instead of allowing the serving men to 
bring up the rear, as when we first set out, he rode 
behind the party, and I was well satisfied that 
nothing would escape his watchful eye. 

I kept my eyes on the Dutchman for a time, be- 
lieving he was hatching some mischief against 
me in his mind ; but the more I thought of the 
matter the less did I fear him, for one who had 
the full use of his limbs might turn about a dozen 
times while that heavy-headed interpreter was 
making ready to advance a single pace. 

No one save a blind man could have failed to 
see signs of our enemy on every hand ; even 
though Eunning Deer had not told us what was 
afoot, we should have understood the situation 
thoroughly before the afternoon was well be- 
gun. 

We pushed steadily ahead until the sun was 
hardly more than half an hour high in the sky, 


40 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


and then were we come to a stream, wild and 
swollen by the melting snow from the mountains, 
which could not be forded. We had known before 
setting out from Williamsburg that such barriers 
would be encountered at that season of the year, 
and yet my heart grew heavy because we had 
come upon one so soon, especially at a time when 
it would not be pleasant to make any very 
long halt while we had Exceeding good reason for 
believing an enemy was close upon our heels. 

It was useless to bewail our fate, however. 
There was the stream, and it must be crossed if 
we counted on continuing the journey, therefore 
the only question to be considered was as to how 
it might be done the most quickly. 

Our major was for building a raft at once, 
with the hope that we might gain the opposite 
bank before night was fully come ; but to this 
Master Gist made decided opposition, arguing 
that it was wisest to make some provision for our 
safety first, and when day had dawned to set 
about the raft-building. 

To my surprise the major gave way to him after 
a brief time of hesitation, and all of us were set 
at work hewing logs which could be used as a 
stockade during the night, and form a portion of 
the raft next morning. 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


41 


Eunning Deer, after cutting a forked stick to 
serve as crutch, assisted so far as was possible in 
the labor, and all worked heartily, save only the 
Dutchman. He claimed, when Master Gist asked 
why he was sitting idle while the others were busy, 
that as interpreter it was not his duty to do this 
or that which should be allotted to the serving 
men, and the quick-tempered frontiersman re- 
plied hotly : 

‘‘We will take good care. Master Van Braam, 
that when it comes to a scratch with the savages 
you shall look after your own hide, for we did not 
join this party for the purpose of saving worth- 
less Dutch lives.” 

Of a verity the pig-headed interpreter was 
gathering thorns for himself, and if he kept on 
at the rate which he had begun, his path would 
not be an easy one. 

It is strange that a man like m3^self, who has 
ever considered it a most difficult task to guide a 
pen, should allow the words to run away with 
him in such a fashion as this. Instead of keeping 
straight on with my story, I try to put in every 
trifling word and act, because as my mind goes 
back into the past, I forget entirely that I am 
starving here at Valley Forge, with the red-coats 
only a few miles away, and again am living in 


42 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

those days when the French were our enemies 
instead of pretending friendship, as at present. 

W ell, we built a makeshift of a stockade before 
nightfall, and, not daring to make a fire, ate our 
dried beef contentedly, at least, I did, for we 
were in far better condition than might have 
been the case had the Delawares succeeded in sur- 
prising us. 

I observed during the night that although the 
Dutchman claimed to have no other duties with 
the party than that of interpreting French, our 
major ordered him to perform his share of guard 
duty, and he did not dare refuse. 

Next morning we were taking advantage of the 
first gray light of dawn to build such a raft as 
would carry our entire party at one crossing ; but 
despite all our efforts, it was noon before we were 
on the opposite bank ready to take up the line of 
march. 

The weather had changed ; the cold was so 
severe that the swiftly running stream had a thin 
coating of ice near the shores, and we, wet to the 
skin, were forced to walk beside the horses or the 
garments would have frozen to our limbs. 

The Indian signs were not as plentiful on the 
other side of the water-course, and Running Deer 
told me it was his belief that the Delawares had 


THE FIRST BLOW. 


43 


given over the idea of harassing us, in order 
that they might hover around the trading settle- 
ment, where booty as well as blood could be 
found. 

Because of the fact that nothing of especial in- 
terest occurred during the seven days which fol- 
lowed our crossing of the first stream, I count on 
passing over that time with hut few words con- 
cerning the march. 

We pressed steadily forward, always in the same 
order, with the traders scouting in advance and 
Major Washington bringing up the rear, until we 
were come to believe that all the enemies to us of 
Virginia had gone in the opposite direction. 

Four times within these seven days were we 
forced to spend from six to eight hours building a 
raft in order to transport ourselves and our horses 
across the swollen streams, and all the while 
battling against the frost, for the cold was now 
so great that but for the severe exercise, we might 
have frozen fingers and toes. 

Master Van Braam recovered somewhat from 
the sulkiness which assailed him when our leader 
interfered with his gentle sport of murdering a 
prisoner, and became quite friendly with all the 
party save Running Deer and myself. To us he 
would not so much as speak, which caused me 


4:4 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

little sorrow, and if by chance he found himself 
in our vicinity he quickly changed position. 

Now and then I saw the Delaware gazing at the 
pig-headed interpreter of French in a manner 
which was not pleasing to behold, and I knew full 
well that if he ever had the opportunity, Eunning 
Deer would settle matters to his own satisfac- 
tion. 

Until the morning of the 22d day of November 
we had not been inconvenienced by snow ; but 
then the heavy, damp flakes began to fall in token 
that a storm was close upon us. 

When we left Williamsburg it was with the 
knowledge that snow would be encountered in 
great volume before our return, and yet I had 
been hoping against hope that we might escape 
such a hardship as would be ours when the paths 
were piled high with the fleecy particles. 

Both Master Gist and our major looked troubled 
when the wind flung against our faces the first 
evidences of the coming storm, and the traders 
came back from the advance to urge that we press 
on with all possible speed. 

It was believed that we were within less than 
twenty miles of the Monongahela river, and the 
guide, meaning Master Gist, counted on striking 
it at the point where was located the settlement 


THE FIRST BLOW. 45 

of one Master Frazier, an Indian trader, about ten 
miles above the forks of the Ohio. 

Running Deer insisted that I mount my horse, 
leaving him to make his way as best he might ; 
but to this I would not listen, knowing as I did 
that even an able-bodied man might find it diffi- 
cult to perform the journey during a driving snow- 
storm. 

I insisted that he urge the horse at the same 
pace with the others, while I ran alongside, which 
was to me no hardship, for I had done the same 
time and time again while I was held captive by 
the Delawares. 

Major Washington, being in the rear, could 
make certain that none of us straggled, and the 
scouts fell back nearer the main body to prevent 
any possibility of one or the other going astray. 

When the pace was first increased I heard Mas- 
ter Gist say to our leader that it seemed positive 
a small party of Indians were a few miles ahead 
of us advancing in the same direction ; but that 
he had little fear they would make an attack while 
the storm was raging so fiercely that one could 
not distinguish objects twenty paces distant on 
either hand. 

In an hour from the time the first flakes stung 
our cheeks, the snow was coming steadily down 


46 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

like a white blanket of wool, dazzling one’s eyes 
by the wavering sheen, and confusing the senses 
unless the traveler fought continually against it. 

Now it was that our major and the traders dis- 
played their knowledge of woodcraft ; unless one 
had had experience in such situations, it would 
have been well-nigh impossible to hold the course 
without considerable deviation, and yet, so far as 
I could see, we kept our way true as the flight of 
an arrow. 

When two hours had passed the horses grew 
leg weary, for the ground was covered to the 
depth of two inches with the clinging white par- 
ticles that gathered in huge balls on their feet, 
causing them to stumble over the rougher places 
until it seemed certain some of our company would 
be thrown from their saddles. 

^‘Use care,” I said in a low tone to Running 
Deer. A fall would work you serious mischief 
just now when the wound is not yet fully 
healed.” 

There may be worse mischief afoot than was 
made by a bullet in a Delaware’s flesh,” he said 
in a tone which caused me to look up at him in 
sudden alarm. 

I knew he had some good reason for thus speak- 
ing, and searched here and there with my eyes, 


THE FIRST BLOW. 47 

wondering what the Indian had seen which es- 
caped the eyes of the scouts. 

A moment later I saw a freshly broken twig, 
beneath which I fancied the snow had been brushed 
over with a branch to hide something, and it was 
easy to guess the rest. 

Are they Delawares ? ” I asked in a whisper, 
and Running Deer shook his head. 

‘‘Tigh twees,” he said after a short pause, and 
although I could not say why he was thus able to 
give the name of the tribe, I had no doubt but 
that he had spoken the truth. 

The tribe of Tightwees, whom some of the 
white people believe were originally Ottawas, were 
the most powerful of any west of Yirginia, and 
well known as friends of the French. If they 
were near at hand it boded no good for us, and 
unless we could gain Master Frazier’s settlement 
before the coming of night, there were many 
chances that some of us might never see it. 

I was on the point of falling back to acquaint 
our major with what the Delaware had said, when 
Master Gist, looking worried and perplexed, came 
in. 

It was useless for me to make any effort at 
catching his eye, for he rode up to Major Wash- 
ington at once, spoke a few words in a low tone, 


48 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

and immediately afterward came the sharp com- 
mand from our leader : 

Halt ! Seek shelter, and look well about 
you !” 

The Dutchman was the only member of the 
party who did not understand that some grave 
danger threatened, and instead of obeying he rode 
forward, coming to a very sudden stop an instant 
later when Master Currin, running back at full 
speed, seized his horse by the bridle rein, flinging 
him upon his haunches with such force that the 
interpreter of French was thrown violently upon 
the ground, where he lay dazed but loud-voiced 
with his threats, while the remainder of our com- 
pany sought shelter without loss of time. 


CHAPTER III. 


A SKIRMISH. 

The fact that they had been discovered pre- 
vented the Indians from making an immediate 
attack, because they knew full well that our com- 
pany would be prepared for them, and thus it was 
we had fair opportunity to take steps for defense. 

The valiant Dutchman, however, was so thick- 
headed that nothing save the actual attack could 
convince him of danger, and, while yet lying pros- 
trate upon the ground clutching at the bridle-rein 
of his horse, he reproached Master Gist and the 
traders for being rank cowards. 

I expected to see the major take him in hand 
without loss of time ; but the young officer left 
him severely alone, and I laughed to think of the 
picture he would present if the savages made a 
sudden on-rush. 

But for the fact that the snow was falling 
heavily, our leader would not have been so deeply 
concerned regarding our situation, for of a verity 
we eight, with Running Deer — the Dutchman 
4 49 


50 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

could not be numbered among those who would 
make a defense — should be able to hold in check 
half an hundred Indians whether they were Tight- 
wees or Ottawas. 

As it was, however, if the enemy held us an 
hour or more in this position, we might not be 
able to reach the Frazier settlement that night. 

When we had gained a shelter the serving men 
took charge of the horses, leading them into a 
thicket just in the rear, where they were fastened 
heads and tails to guard against the possibility of 
a stampede, and Yan Braam’s steed was among 
the rest, for the interpreter made no attempt at 
resistance when Jenkins pulled the bridle-reins 
from his grasp. 

Once we were in the position I have described. 
Masters Gist and McQuire crept cautiously in ad- 
vance while our major scouted to the right and 
the left, much to the displeasure of the traders, 
who held that the commander of the party should 
not expose himself to danger unnecessarily. 

By the time so much had been done the Dutch- 
man began to have an inkling that matters were 
not quite as pleasant as they might be, and he 
crawled beneath a clump of bushes, the most use- 
less piece of lumber that was ever carried into the 
wilderness. 


A SKIRMISH. 


51 


When ten minutes had passed the scouts came 
in, and Master Gist advanced directly to where I 
was stationed, saying in a whisper as he ap- 
proached : 

‘‘You and I should be able to manage this 
matter, lad. Unless we can drive the redskins off 
in short order, we’re like to spend the night in 
the snow with a sorry chance for rest. Are you 
of the mind to force the battle in my company ? ” 

“ That I am, for it is not to my liking, this 
skulking in camp, as it were, while others are 
doing the work.” 

“Then come with me. The remainder of the 
party will stay here to protect our retreat in case 
we are forced to fall back.” 

Then it was that I made bold to suggest an 
addition to our force of two. 

“If those savages really be a band of Tight- 
wees, then of a verity would Eunning Deer thank 
us for an opportunity to pay off some old scores.” 

“ But can we trust him ? ” Master Gist asked, 
and I understood by the tone of his voice that he 
would be glad of the Indian’s aid. 

“ If he passes his word I’ll trust him with my 
life,” I replied, and, seeing the Delaware gazing 
at us earnestly from his post, I beckoned him to 
join us. 


52 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

His face lighted up with joy when I explained 
the situation, and asked if he would go with us 
to provoke an attack. 

He replied by putting his hand in mine, white- 
man fashion, and I knew it was the same as if 
he had pledged himself to us in so many words. 

We crept cautiously out into the whirling, 
dazzling snow, taking good heed as to the points 
of the compass lest it might be difficult to find 
our comrades again, and when we were lost to 
view of the others, Eunning Deer motioned to me 
that he would take the lead. 

He had with him his gun, for we had allowed 
him to keep the weapon after I was satisfied that 
he would not attempt to play us a trick, and when 
Master Gist was willing to yield to him the post 
of honor, Eunning Deer wormed his way through 
the snow-laden foliage without disturbing a single 
leaf. 

He vanished from our view as a shadow fades 
away, and we followed when he was perhaps 
twenty paces in advance. 

I have taken part in many ventures when my 
life would have paid the forfeit for the slightest 
mistake ; but at no time have I felt as much 
fear as when we made our way slowly amid that 
blinding cloud, unable to distinguish objects 


A SKIRMISH. 


63 


twenty paces distant, and expecting each instant 
to hear the report of an Indian’s gun, or feel the 
sharp twinge of a bullet. 

There seemed to be something unnatural in the 
silence ; the falling flakes muffled the ordinary 
noises of the forest, and lent a ghostly aspect to 
the surroundings. 

Master Gist and I advanced within touch, 
keeping thus close lest we should be confused by 
the swiftly falling particles, and wander so far 
from each other that it might not be possible to 
readily come together again. 

Then suddenly, sounding dull and muffled as 
if the weapon had been enveloped in wool, came 
the report ' of a musket, and thus knowing that 
Eunning Deer had begun or provoked an attack, 
I felt a sensation of deepest relief, for the sus- 
pense had become more trying than the most 
imminent danger would have been. 

We strained our eyes in the vain hope of pene- 
trating with the vision that veil of fleecy white- 
ness, while one might have counted twenty, and 
then Eunning Deer came swiftly back toward 
us, and because he made no effort to move si- 
lently we knew full well the Tightwees were in 
pursuit. 

He opened and closed his hand five times as he 


54 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

joined us, and we understood that our enemies 
numbered five and twenty. 

‘‘Ask if he brought down his man?” Master 
Gist said to me ; but before I could obey Eunning 
Deer had fired again, and but a short distance in 
advance of us might be distinguished dark, flit- 
ting forms amid the whirling snow, telling that 
the savages were upon us. 

Master Gist and I discharged our muskets 
almost at the same instant ; but only one of the 
enemy fell, and then we three sought shelter 
behind the nearest trees, for it was our purpose 
to hold them in check as long as possible, believ- 
ing our major would, on hearing the firing, 
come up in the rear of the band. 

The reports of our weapons had not yet died 
away when the shadowy figures disappeared as 
suddenly as they had come, and we knew that 
the Tight wees had also taken to shelter. 

“ At this rate we are like to be kept here till 
nightfall,” I whispered to Master Gist, who was 
standing within half a dozen paces of me. ‘ ‘ Those 
fellows can hold us at their pleasure, if it so be 
they are not too careless, and I have never yet 
seen a redskin who would needlessly expose him- 
self.” 

“ If young Washington has the proper stuff in 


A SKIRMISH. 


55 


him, they will soon be forced to make a move,” 
he replied as he sighted his weapon. We’ll fire 
now and again whether we can see the savages 
or not, in order that he may get a good idea of 
where we are stationed.” 

As he spoke the flame leaped out from the 
muzzle of his gun, and a second later I saw the 
form of a skulking Indian fair before me. 

That time I made no mistake in aim, and the 
Tightwee went down with a yell that should 
have given to those in the rear a fair knowledge 
of our whereabouts. 

Thus it was until ten minutes had passed ; we 
fired at brief intervals, wasting good powder 
and ball, while the enemy remained closely 
screened by the trees, and then came that for 
which we had been hoping. 

A volley of musketry some distance in advance 
of us ; a chorus of yells ; the din of a war-whoop 
which told plainly that we had before us a band 
of Tightwees, and then a scattering fire, as if the 
enemy, bewildered by the sudden attack, had 
fired at random. 

Major Washington had not disappointed us, 
and now, unquestionably, he was expecting us to 
second his movements. 

‘^Tell the Delaware to make the rush with 


56 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


US,” Master Gist said hurriedly to me, and I had 
no sooner repeated the words to Eunning Deer 
than the old frontiersman dashed forward with 
a whoop which we echoed until one would have 
said that our party numbered a full dozen. 

High above the yells of Master Gist and myself 
rang out the shrill war-whoop of the Delawares, 
and if the Tightwees distinguished this, as they 
must have done, it caused them to believe their 
old enemies were close behind. 

It is not possible for me to set down all that 
occurred when we literally charged upon Indians 
who were sheltered by the trees. 

Had it not been for the falling snow they might 
have picked us off to a man, for we exposed our- 
selves without any particular heed to the danger ; 
but the fleecy downpour obstructed the view, 
and the waving lines of white distracted one’s 
aim. 

Of what happened during this small battle when 
white men set their courage against the cunning 
of the savages, I can describe only that which 
concerned myself, for after we started the rapid, 
forward movement I ceased to think of anything 
save the necessity of dislodging this foe who stood 
between us and the settlement which it was im- 
portant we should gain before nightfall. 


A SKIRMISH. 


57 


At first I could see nothing, for the very good 
reason that the foremost of the Indians fell back 
before us, and then, after a short time, it was 
possible to distinguish forms behind tree or bush, 
when at such I fired as rapidly as my piece could 
be reloaded. 

It was as if everything before my eyes was of a 
crimson hue ; I burned with the desire to take 
life, and counted my own as of little value so that 
I might strike down one or more of the savages. 
I have since come to understand that the fever of 
battle was upon me, when self is forgotten in the 
thirst for human blood. 

Nor did I recover from this delirium sufficiently 
to feel fear when we were come to a hand to hand 
struggle, as we did before the Tigh twees could be 
forced to retreat ; but I fought desperately, virtu- 
ally unconscious of what I did, until the voice of 
our major awakened me from the dream. 

“ Halt ! It is not our place to pursue further 
lest we wander so far from the course that night 
will overtake us before we arrive at the river. 
Fall back to where the horses were left ! ” 

Master McQuire insisted for a moment that we 
pursue our advantage until the Tightwees were 
destroyed ; but after Major Washington repeated 
in a sharp voice his order to fall back, the trader 


58 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

did not think it safe to venture his opinion 
further. 

At the moment I could not have said whether I 
had done my duty during the skirmish, or if I had 
shown myself faint-hearted, because, strange 
though it may seem to others, I had no absolute 
knowledge of my own movements ; but the words 
of the major as he came toward me with out- 
stretched hand relieved all doubts, causing a glow 
of pride to be kindled in my heart. 

‘‘You have shown yourself to be a true man, 
John Davidson, and from this time on if we two 
part company, it will be your fault.” 

I should have explained exactly how I felt dur- 
ing the battle, thus proving that I had no right 
to accept praise ; but instead of being truthful I 
held my peace, save when I thanked the major 
for his kindly words. 

As I now came to know, we had pursued the 
Tightwees two miles or more from the temporary 
halting place, where the horses and the Dutchman 
had been left. Master Van Braam having evinced 
no desire to take part in the skirmish, and the 
major led the way back at a swift pace, for the 
snow was falling so rapidly that the trail would 
be covered in a very short time. 

While we were retracing our steps I asked 


A SKIRMISH. 


59 


J ames J enkins, who was marching by my side, to 
tell me how great a detour the major had made 
in order to gain the rear of the enemy. 

Faith I cant tell you, lad,” he replied with a 
laugh. ‘‘ If the work had been left for me to do, 
we might yet have been floundering in the snow. 
The downpour confused me, and I couldnT have 
said whether the savages were to the right or the 
left of us. It was the major who did the job, and 
a better man in the forest I never saw ; had it 
been a clear day he could not have shown us a 
shorter cut. When we knew by the reports of 
your guns that you had found the Tightwees, he 
ordered all hands to follow him, and be ready to 
shoot at the first target that showed itself. We 
obeyed orders until coming up behind the heathen 
and then the fight was on.” 

“ And the interpreter of French ? ” I asked, 
guessing what the reply would be. 

‘‘He was flat on his face behind a tree, and 
never moved a hair when the word was given. I 
reckon he’s there yet, and it wouldn’t hurt my 
feelings a little bit if the crazy fool was frozen 
stiff by this time.” 

We found the Dutchman in the same position 
as w'hen the major set out with his force, and 
Master Currin wasted his time by explaining to 


60 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

the coward that the Tightwees had been beaten 
back, therefore we were in no immediate danger 
provided the party pushed forward toward the 
river at full speed. 

The Dutchman did not so much as thank him 
for the information ; but scrambled to his feet 
with the air of one who has been deeply injured 
by his comrades. 

Eunning Deer was not with us when we arrived 
at the halting place, and Master McQuire declared 
plainly that, in his opinion, the Delaware had 
given us the slip. 

I would not hold my peace when he who had 
once stood my friend was so wronged. Crippled 
though he was, Eunning Deer bad promptly of- 
fered to aid us against the Tightwees, and did as 
much, if not more, than any other member of the 
party to bring about the result, therefore it was 
folly to charge him with breaking his promise to 
remain with us until we arrived at his village. 

The major seemed to have a suspicion as to why 
the Indian loitered, as did I, and he said calmly, 
in order to take the edge from Master McQuire’s 
harsh words. 

He will not delay us many moments, for I 
fancy his task can be performed quickly, unless 
those who fled came back to check him.” 


A SKIRMISH. 


61 


The traders set about making ready the horses, 
and before this had been done Eunning Deer 
hobbled up, looking wonderfully well pleased, and 
wearing at his belt several scalp locks which, a 
short time previous, had decorated the heads of 
the ancient enemies of his tribe. 

Now that it seemed probable the imminent 
dangers had been removed from our path, the 
scouts were no longer sent in advance ; but the 
entire party pushed on in close order, bent on mak- 
ing the best speed possible. 

Eunning Deer would have forced me to mount 
my horse, leaving him to drag his wounded limb 
through the damp snow ; but to this I would not 
listen, and he mounted, I running alongside while 
the pace was rapid, or pushing on in advance 
when the animals were forced down to a walk. 

More than once before the afternoon was come 
near the close, would the traders have called a 
halt, for each man was pressing forward to the 
utmost of his endurance ; but Major Washington 
kept us well up to our work, reprimanding him 
who lagged, and encouraging those who kept the 
pace. 

But for his efforts I venture to say we would 
not have enjoyed the friendly shelter of Master 
Frazier’s cabin that night, and, perhaps, never ; 


62 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

for there would have been many difficulties in the 
way after the sun had set, to which we might have 
succumbed. 

As it was, however, the shadows of evening 
were beginning to gather when we rode up to the 
small settlement of four huts within a stockade, 
and warm was the welcome our party received. 

When we were seated before the glowing fire 
which burned in Master Frazier’s kitchen, know- 
ing the horses were being cared for by the men of 
the settlement, and with the appetizing odor of 
venison as it was being broiled on the coals assail- 
ing our nostrils, all hardships were forgotten, 
until I said to myself that this mission which had 
appeared so fraught with danger and privations 
had been pictured in too vivid colors. 

Eunning Deer had no reason to complain of the 
reception which was given him. Master Frazier, 
who had ever been on friendly terms with the 
Delawares, treated him as if his skin was white 
instead of red, and at once set about caring for 
his wound with such simples as he had at hand. 

The Dutchman held himself aloof from all of 
us except the major ; he took good care, however, 
to occupy the warmest seat at the fire, having 
pressed forward with unseemly haste when we 
entered, that he might gain the coveted spot 


A SKIRMISH. 


63 


before any other could get it, and appeared wholly 
indifferent to the fact that good manners de- 
manded him to remain standing until our leader 
had taken his place in front of the cheery blaze. 

After supper had been eaten, and all the men 
of the settlement were gathered to discuss with 
the major as to the best course to be pursued, I 
realized that as yet we had not come to the most 
difficult or most dangerous portion of the jour- 
ney. 

Master Frazier bore testimony to the truth of 
what Kunning Deer had already told us. He said 
that the French were making rapid progress in 
their efforts to stir up the young braves of all 
the tribes against the English of Virginia, and 
that only the commands of the older Indians pre- 
vented a general attack upon the colony. 

Shingias, the chief sachem of the Delawares, 
yet remained a firm friend of the colonists, so 
Master Frazier declared, and while he continued 
of such mind it was not likely any serious attack 
upon the settlers would be made. It was also be- 
lieved that the sachem would do all in his power 
to prevent the Tightwees, who were already allied 
with the French, from working us mischief. 

This was, in substance, the condition of affairs 
as he understood the situation among the savages ; 


Ci WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

but when the conversation turned upon our jour- 
ney, he did not speak in such cheery words. 

The streams between his settlement and the 
Forks of the Ohio, ten miles away, could not be 
forded, and to make rafts sufficiently large to 
carry the horses would give us well on to a week’s 
work because of the lack of large timber near at 
hand. If we were not burdened with so much 
baggage he believed we might succeed in swim- 
ming the horses across unless, perchance, the 
waterways should freeze over, when it would be 
necessary to wait until the ice was strong enough 
to bear up under the weight of the animals. 

When Master Frazier appeared to be racking 
his brains in the effort to conjure up new difficul- 
ties in our path, I looked to see Major Washing- 
ton curtly advise him to attend to his own affairs 
instead of meddling with that which was no con- 
cern of his ; but our young leader did nothing of 
the kind. 

When the settler was come to an end of his 
forebodings the young officer bade me ask Fun- 
ning Deer if he knew the country well near- about, 
and after the Delaware had declared that he could 
go to the Forks of the Ohio with his eyes blinded, 
the major asked Master Frazier if he had any plan 
to propose. 


A SKIRMISH. 


65 


Take one of nay canoes ; send your baggage 
down the river, and the remainder of the party 
can follow the Indian’s guiding. I know him 
well for an honest Delaware, and it is not greatly 
to his discredit that he got mixed up with the 
young men of his tribe in a threat against the 
colony, for these latter days the French com- 
mander has appeared to be more friendly than 
the governor of Virginia.” 

The major made no reply to this suggestion and 
remark ; but the remainder of our party, even 
including the Dutchman, argued for or against 
dividing the force until words ran high. 

Then it was that our leader, wrapping his 
blanket around him, laid down on the floor to 
sleep, and after his example the others could do 
no less than compose themselves for the night 
according to the capacity of Master Frazier’s 
cabin. 

It so chanced that I awakened just before break 
of day on the next morning, when I saw Major 
Washington step to the curtain which divided 
from the main room a sleeping apartment for the 
host and his wife, and there call softly for Master 
Frazier to come forth. 

The summons was obeyed without loss of time, 
and the two went into the open air, leaving the 
5 


G6 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


remainder of the party to continue their slumbers 
to the tune of the Dutchman’s snoring. 

Half an hour later Master Gist aroused us all, 
and when I went out of doors I found the snow 
piled six or eight inches deep in every direction ; 
but the storm had cleared away, with a promise 
in the sky of fair weather. 

The air was not cold enough to make ice, and 
the Monongahela river was running merrily to 
join the Ohio. If we were not hampered by the 
horses, the next stage of the journey could have 
been made in quick time. 

It was idle for me to speculate upon what might 
be done, as I learned when the major and our 
host came up from the river hank, for then the 
former said to Steward and Jenkins as they stood 
in the chill air stretching their limbs to drive the 
heaviness of slumber from their eyelids : 

You will load Master Frazier’s canoe with all 
the baggage, and make your way as rapidly as 
possible to the Forks. If we have not arrived, 
make yourselves comfortable and wait for us.” 
Then, turning to the other members of our com- 
pany, he added, ‘‘We will mount as soon as our 
good host has provided us with something to 
break our fast, for Master Frazier believes the 
Delaware can guide us by such a route that 


A SKIRMISH. 07 

we may cover the distance between now and 
sunset.” 

The Dutchman had not yet quitted his bed next 
the fireplace, therefore he was not present to 
make any complaint, but the remainder of our 
party obeyed orders without loss of time, for al- 
though the major had not treated us with any 
severity, we understood that he was not one who 
would countenance anything whatsoever which 
smacked of insubordination. 

An hour later we were in the saddle with Run- 
ning Deer in advance as guide. I rode Jenkins’ 
horse, leading Steward’s, and despite the clog- 
ging snow we set off at a sharp trot. 

The interpreter of French alone wore a gloomy 
face. One would have said that he felt personally 
aggrieved because we were pushing forward on 
that journey for which he had been hired ; but I 
noticed he took good care not to make any com- 
plaint in words. 

I heartily disliked the fat, lazy Dutchman, and 
it is possible that I saw disagreeable traits in him 
which no other person would have observed. 

Concerning this portion of our journey it is 
enough if I say that we arrived without mishap 
at the Forks of the Ohio* when the sun was yet 

* Where the city of Pittsburg now stands. 


68 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

an hour high, and then found that we had out- 
stripped the canoes. 

Eunning Deer had done his work well, Under 
his guidance we had been able to ford one stream, 
and swim the horses over four others, which last, 
as a matter of course, necessitated our taking to 
the water as well ; but we managed it without 
much discomfort by undressing and carrying our 
garments on the animals’ necks. 

It was not pleasant to strip off all protection 
against the biting wind while one stood knee-deep 
in the snow ; but once we were clothed again our 
skins glowed in a most delightful manner. 

Take it all in all, I look back upon that march 
of twenty miles or more which we took in order to 
cover half the distance in a straight line, as some- 
thing pleasant rather than otherwise. 

We saw no signs of hostile Indians, nor did we 
expect to meet with any, for according to Master 
Frazier the redskins in that immediate vicinity 
were by no means friendly with the French, un- 
less, indeed, some of the young braves may have 
been won over by valuable gifts and high sound- 
ing promises. 

As I have already said, the canoe had not ar- 
rived when we dismounted near the bank of the 
Monongahela, where amid the timber we found 


A SKIRMISH. 


69 


protection against the biting wind which chilled 
to the very hone him who stood idle five minutes 
or more. 

Steward and Jenkins should have accomplished 
the passage in far less time than it had taken us 
to make the detour necessary to avoid the widest 
portions of the streams, and we could only agree 
with Master Gist, that they had been delayed at 
the Frazier settlement, for it was hardly probable 
the boat had been stopped by the ice. 

There was no great profit in speculating upon 
the causes for the delay. We were bound to re- 
main on the bank of the river during the night, 
whether the boatmen came or not, and I was 
right glad when Major Washington gave the 
word for all hands to set about building a shelter 
and collecting fuel. 

All the party, save the Dutchman, fell to 'v^ith 
a will immediately this command had been given, 
eager to make ready the shelter for we needed 
exercise to warm our chilled blood ; but the inter- 
preter of French appeared decidedly disgruntled 
because it was expected he would hew logs or drag 
brush 

The major incited us to labor by bearing his 
portion of the tasks as if he had been especially 
employed for camp duty ; but Van Braam, who 


^0 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

had not even the charity to cover his shivering 
horse with a sleeping blanket, as the rest of us 
had done, laid back on his position as interpreter, 
saying loftily when Master Gist reproached him 
for remaining idle while all the others were work- 
ing like beavers : 

‘‘ I came to interpret French, not to build huts. 
If the serving men had not been left behind 
there would be no need of asking officers to do 
such work,” 

Do you consider yourself an officer in this 
company ? ” Master Gist asked angrily. 

Surely an interpreter is of as much conse- 
quence as a commander, and I stand on my 
rights.” 

But the major himself is bearing a hand with 
us,” the guide said in a tone which should have 
warned the Dutchman that he was angry to the 
verge of an explosion. 

It is nothing to me if the major chooses to do 
the work of a servant,” Van Braam replied with 
a great show of dignity as he threw a camp 
blanket over his shoulders for protection against 
the frosty air. 

•‘When the shanty is built I’ll attend to your 
case even though it brings me into a quarrel with 
the commander ! ” Master Gist exclaimed as he 


A SKIRMISH. 71 

turned on his heel, leaving the high and mighty 
interpreter of French to shiver in his dignity. 

“We had better get along without any one 
who can speak French, than have the Dutch pig 
with us,’’ Master McQuire said as I passed near 
by where he was hewing down a tree. * ^ I ven- 
ture to say we will find some one at General de St. 
Pierre’s quarters who can jabber in English.” 

Punning Deer looked up quickly at the trader, 
and then gazed toward where Van Braam sat 
covered with his dignity and a blanket, giving 
the latter such a glance as told me that if the 
Delaware remained long in our company the 
Dutchman might learn that an interpreter is of but 
little account in the forest save at the very 
moment when his services are needed. 

But for the fear of appearing forward, I would 
have told the major that I could speak French 
well enough to carry on such a conversation as I 
fancied we might have with Monsieur de St. 
Pierre ; but that would have looked as if I was 
trying to take the Dutchman’s office from him, 
therefore I did not yield to the impulse which had 
suddenly beset me, and an instant later I was 
heartily glad I had succeeded in holding my 
tongue. 

Although Van Braam had spoken in a low tone, 


72 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

it appeared that Major Washington heard all 
that passed between him and Master Gist, and 
when it was certain the interpreter did not intend 
to perform any share of the labor, our commander 
asked him in a quiet, friendly tone : 

Where do you intend to camp this night. 
Master Van Braam ?” 

‘‘ I suppose this is the place you have chosen,” 
the Dutchman replied with a look of surprise. 

‘‘You are right, my friend, this is the spot I 
have selected for the camp of those who are build- 
ing the shelter ; but we shall have no room for a 
man who is not willing to do his share of the labor. 
You will build yourself a hut at some other con- 
venient spot.” 

The Dutchman’s face grew crimson with rage ; 
he choked like one in a fit, and as soon as it was 
possible for him to speak, he asked in a tremulous 
tone : 

“ Do you mean, Major Washington, to deprive 
me of my share in that camp, when it shall have 
been built ? ” 

“You have no share in what you will not aid 
in constructing. Master Van Braam, therefore I 
am depriving you of nothing when I declare that 
you will camp by yourself, or turn to with the 
others in building this shelter.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 

The Dutchman glared at the major as if doubt- 
ing whether his ears had served him correctly, and 
then looked slowly around upon each member of 
the company, all of whom had ceased work to 
stare at the commander and the insubordinate 
interpreter. 

Gaze as he might, it was impossible to see a 
single friendly glance. From the hour we set 
out it was as if Van Braam had done his best to 
be disagreeable to each in turn, and I venture to 
say there were many others beside myself who 
hoped he would be obliged to sleep that night 
without shelter. 

Major Washington did not wait to parley with 
the angry man ; as soon as he had stated the case 
from his standpoint, he resumed his labors once 
more, and the rest of us felt forced to follow his 
example. 

I kept a sharp watch over Van Braam out of 

the corner of my eye, however, and Running 
73 


^4 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Deer did the same, for both of us burned with 
curiosity to learn what the fellow would do. It 
was certain that our leader would hold strictly to 
the decision made, and unless the Dutchman 
speedily got ‘ about helping us, the opportunity 
would be lost because of the completion of our 
camp. 

If the weather had not been quite so cold I 
believe he would have remained where he was 
until morning, with the hope of causing the leader 
to feel uncomfortable in mind ; but he realized 
that some sort of a shelter would be necessary 
during the night, and arose, as I supposed, with 
the intention of joining in the labor. 

Unfortunately for him, if such was his inten- 
tion, Master Gist saw him advancing, and, think- 
ing to render more easy a surrender by the angry 
man, said cheerily : 

‘^Lay hold of that sapling, will you. Van 
Braam, and carry it where McQuire is shaping 
the shanty ? ” 

The interpreter could no longer control his 
anger, and, not afraid to say to Master Gist all 
that was in his mind, he poured out a torrent 
of abuse, bringing the tirade to a close by shout- 
ing : 

“This matter shall be made known to the 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 

governor of Virginia ! He will be called upon 
to say whether one of his officers can be thus 
insulted ! ” 

How long since you were made an officer of 
this company ? ” Master Currin asked with a 
laugh, and the Dutchman turned quickly upon 
him, speaking such words in his anger as might 
have been construed into open insubordination had 
the commander been so disposed. 

I understood, from the look on Eunning Deer’s 
face that he would have given a great deal to be 
alone a few moments with the interpreter, and, 
knowing that an Indian seldom forgets an injury, 
I fancied there would be a vacancy in the position 
of interpreter of French when the Delaware had 
finished with him. 

The result of the childish outburst was that by 
the time Van Braam had calmed down sufficiently 
to be fully sensible of the situation, our shelter 
was finished, and Master McQuire was building 
the camp-fire. 

If our commander held to his word, the Dutch- 
man would sleep in the open, or set about building 
a shanty very speedily, and I venture to say that 
every member of the company was eager to know 
how the matter would turn. 

If the major did not keep the interpreter out 


Y6 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

of the camp, after all that had been said, then he 
might find some difficulty in enforcing obedience 
from the remainder of his following. 

Well, once the camp-fire had been built the 
traders began cooking the slices of venison we 
had brought from Master Frazier’s, and Van 
Braam wandered down by the river bank as if 
thinking it might be a good plan to rid the colony 
of Virginia of one very disagreeable Dutchman. 

When the horses had been cared for, and the 
animal ridden by the interpreter of French was 
looked after with the others, under a slight cover- 
ing of boughs at the rear of the shanty, we were 
summoned to supper. 

Much to my surprise. Van Braam came up 
promptly as if he owned the entire place. 

The major made no sign when the Dutchman 
attacked the meat, taking to himself quite twice 
as much as either of the others had ; but immedi- 
ately the meal was brought to a close our com- 
mander said quietly : 

Now that you have been fed. Master Van 
Braam, you will oblige us by going to your own 
camp.” 

“I have none,” was the gruff reply. 

‘‘ And you have no share in this. You will 
leave us at once.” 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


77 


Do you count on my freezing to death ? ” 

I have no dbubt but that you will be in danger 
of frost-bites unless your shanty is properly con- 
structed ; but by constantly moving around you 
can keep up a circulation of blood.” 

“ I claim the right to stay with the remainder 
of the party, and if you dare force me out from 
among you, I will make formal complaint to 
Governor Dinwiddie.” 

John Davidson, you and the Delaware will 
remove Master V an Br aam, ” Ma j or W ashington 
said quietly, speaking in much the same tone 
as if he had ordered me to throw more wood on 
the fire, and I was well pleased to repeat the 
words to Eunning Deer, 

The Indian’s face lighted up with satisfaction 
as he arose, and in another moment we would 
have fiung the Dutchman out into the snow, but 
that he sprang to his feet as if our touch would 
defile him. 

He turned to speak to the commander, most 
likely to make more threats ; but I laid my hand 
on his shoulder, and Eunning Deer was about 
to do the same, when the angry interpreter ran 
out, literally mad with rage. 

The Delaware looked as I felt, disappointed be- 
cause we had lost the opportunity of giving the 


78 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Dutchman a much needed lesson, and then, wrap- 
ping himself in his blanket, he laid down near the 
entrance as if to keep guard against a return of 
the insubordinate man. 

There was no danger Van Braam would freeze 
to death ; but certain it was he would spend a 
most uncomfortable night, as indeed he ought 
after making such an exhibition of himself, and 
I question if any one among us felt the lightest 
touch of sympathy for him. 

Each in turn, even including the commander, 
stood watch an hour at a time, and just before day- 
light, when I was doing my share of the guard 
duty, the canoe arrived, as I understood by the 
sound of voices near the river bank. 

Running down to the shore I learned that 
Steward and Jenkins had been delayed because 
of a leak in the boat, and had not left Master 
Frazier’s settlement until nearly midnight. 

After telling the serving men that there was 
room enough in the camp for them, I went back 
to the fire, and fancied I saw a dark form stealing 
toward the river. I believed it was Van Braam, 
who counted on crawling into the canoe amid the 
baggage to get a nap before breakfast. 

I have used so many words in describing the 
insubordination of the Dutchman that itisneccc 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. Y9 

sary to pass over quickly what I counted on tell- 
ing in detail. 

Van Braam came up from the canoe when the 
summons to breakfast was heard, and ate his full 
share of the food in silence. No one spoke to him, 
and he acted as if he was the only person present. 

In order that Steward and Jenkins might gain 
a little rest after their night’s work, we remained 
in camp until noon. Then, leaving the canoe for 
Master Frazier to recover at his convenience, the 
baggage was distributed among the party as 
when we first set out, and we began the twenty- 
mile march to Logstown, where Eunning Deer 
had told us we would find the chief sachems of 
the Delaware. 

Because of the clinging snow, and the stream 
where we spent four hours building a raft, no 
more than eight miles in distance was covered 
that day, but on the next, which was the twenty- 
fifth of November, we rode into the settlement 
about noon, being greeted by an hundred or more 
dogs, whose yelps and howls brought some of the 
more curious Delawares out of their tepees. 

Now it was that Running Deer played the host, 
and he did it in what I thought good style, that 
is to say, as measured from an Indian’s stand- 
point. 


80 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

He dismounted first, spoke ceremoniously to 
Major Washington, and then waited until I had 
interpreted his words, which were much like 
this : 

The young chief is at home here. All with- 
in the encampment is his, and Shingias shall take 
care that it is so. Will the young chief wait till 
I summon those whose right it is to make him 
welcome ? ” 

Under the major’s orders, we remained in the 
saddle while Eunning Deer entered one of the 
tepees, and when he returned there came with 
him certain chiefs whom I knew well. 

First in importance was Shingias himself, then 
came Jeskakake and White Thunder, followed 
by several who were strangers to me. 

Of a verity they made Eunning Deer’s words 
good, for Major Washington was treated with as 
much honor as would have been shown to Gover- 
nor Dinwiddle, and perhaps there was a trifie more 
ceremony than might have been shown the chief 
magistrate of Virginia, for he who introduced the 
party made much of the fact that we had saved 
the life of a Delaware. 

All this was very pleasing, so far as we were 
concerned ; but the Dutchman might have been 
considerably disturbed in mind had he heard some 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


81 


of the remarks which came to my ears. Because 
he was in the company of the major, no indignity 
was shown him ; but Jeskakake, who was a 
brother to Running Deer’s father, said boldly that 
he hoped to meet the “ fat man again when he 
had none to throw their cloaks over him.” 

Well, we entered Shingias’ tepee, and there, 
where the principal men of the village were as- 
sembled, smoked the pipe and spoke a great many 
useless words which the Delawares believed were 
necessary in order to show proper honor to Run- 
ning Deer’s friends. 

Half-King, the sachem whom I believed could 
best serve the major, had not returned from his 
visit to the French commandant, where he had 
gone to demand an explanation of that officer’s 
movements ; hut it was certain he would return 
on the following day, and Shingias asked that the 
major wait until his arrival before entering into 
the particulars of his mission. 

When this much business had been transacted 
with an unusual amount of ceremony, our party 
was conducted to a large tepee, and there served 
with food. 

There was nothing to be done until Half-King 
should arrive, and each of us spent the time as 
best pleased him. The majority of our people 


82 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

slept, ate and smoked ; but I walked here and 
there, revisiting scenes which were familiar when 
I was a captive in the village, and speaking with 
those whom I had formerly known. 

Running Deer was my companion as I thus re- 
called the unhappy past, and to every one whom 
we met he told of my having saved his life when 
the Dutchman would have shot him in cold 
blood. 

All this was to my advantage ; but it gathered 
enemies for the interpreter of French, until I be- 
lieve it would have been dangerous for him to 
have ventured into the outskirts of the village, 
even though he was under the protection of the 
messenger from the governor of Virginia. 

Master Van Braam had not spoken from the 
hour when he was forced to leave the shanty ; he 
rode, walked and ate with us as we journeyed, 
but acted all the while like a sulky child, and it 
appeared as if I was particularly under his dis- 
pleasure. 

Now that we were at Logstown, however, and 
the Indians scowled upon him alone, he began to 
think that perhaps one so insignificant as myself 
might possibly do him a good turn, and at once 
he became exceedingly friendly. 

I knew full well that this sudden outburst of 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


83 


friendship was caused wholly by his fears, and 
not because he had just discovered certain good 
traits in me, therefore I spoke him very curtly 
until he asked : 

‘‘ Did you observe that the savages here gaze at 
me as if I alone of all the company was an enemy ? ” 

‘‘Yes, I have seen something of the kind,” I 
replied carelessly : but finding it difficult to resist 
the inclination to laugh, for unless the man had 
been wholly blind he must have seen that his life 
would not have been worth a pinch of powder if 
he ventured outside the village. 

“ Have you heard anything which might indi- 
cate why they do not look upon me with the same 
favor as that displayed for the others of the 
force ? ” 

“ Yes, I have heard a word here and there.” 

“Will you explain why they are so bitter 
against me ? ” 

“ Ay, that I will. Master Van Braam,” I replied 
readily, determined that he should hear all in the 
way of disagreeable matters which I could truth- 
fully tell him. “This is Eunning Deer’s home ; 
his father is one of the chief men of the settlement, 
and his father’s brother is a great sachem. Eun- 
ning Deer is well liked by all his people, and when 
he told them that you would have shot him — a 


84 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


Delaware with whom the English are at peace — 
simply because his skin is red, and while he was 
maimed and helpless, the entire tribe looked upon 
you as an enemy.” 

Did he tell them that ? ” He must have done 
it with the idea of working me a mischief ! ” the 
Dutchman exclaimed, as if overcome with surprise 
that Eunning Deer should have spoken anything 
which was not entirely to his credit. 

‘‘Did you suppose he would hold his peace? 
He has said that of all this company you are his 
only enemy, as is strictly true. Master Van Braam, 
and had he told the same of me, I would be care- 
ful to keep close beside the major while we stay 
here.” 

“ Why ?” he asked, and I was filled with won- 
derment that any man could be so thick-headed. 

“Because there are many braves here in the 
village who would not hesitate to take your scalp, 
and it is not surprising that they should be in- 
clined to serve you with the same sauce you would 
have given Eunning Deer.” 

Van Braam gazed at me earnestly a few seconds 
as if to assure himself I was speaking the truth, 
and when the facts of his situation finally filtered 
through his thick skull, the pallor of fear came 
over his face. Like the coward that he was he 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


85 


tried to lessen the danger in his own mind, by de- 
claring that I had spoken falsely, 

You will be very careful. Master Dutchman, 
how you accuse me of lying, or I may take into 
my own hands, regardless of the major’s authority 
over me, the work of making you over into a 
civil being. If, however, there is any doubt in 
your mind as to whether I have made too strong 
a statement, I shall not be angry if you ask one 
of the traders. They understand the language, 
and must have heard some of the threats which 
have been made against you.” 

This convinced the coward that I had spoken 
no more than the truth, and he trembled in every 
limb as he sought shelter in the tepee wheup 
Major Washington was sleeping. 

We saw nothing more of the cowardly inter- 
preter that day, and on the next, when we white 
people were gathered in a body to welcome the 
returning Half-King, he remained very close to 
the major’s side. 

Before the newcomer had been in the village 
half an hour the council-fire was built, and we 
joined the Delawares in the lodge where was held 
all important conferences or meetings. 

After the pipe had been passed to every person 
present, Half-King stalked into the middle of the 


86 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


lodge and told the story of his visit to the French 
commandant, speaking slowly as if understanding 
that I would translate it to the major. 

When I entered the fort where was the 
French governor, he treated me like a slave, and 
asked what I had come about. Then it was that 
I said to him these words : ‘ Father, I am come to 
tell you your own speeches ; what your own 
mouths have declared. In other days you set a 
silver basin before us, wherein was the tail of a 
beaver, and desired all the nations to come and eat 
of it, to eat in peace and plenty, and not to be 
enemies with one another. If any one dug up 
the hatchet, he was to be whipped with the rod 
you laid down by the side of the basin, and then 
also you told us that if you should forget your 
friendship for the Delawares, you were to be 
whipped with the rod. 

“ ‘ Father, we kindled a fire a long time ago, at 
a place called Montreal, where you were to stay, 
and not come upon our lands. We, the Dela- 
wares, ask you to go there now, for this is our 
land, not yours, and if you stay, the rod is for you. 
Father, both you and the English are white ; the 
Delawares live in a country between you two, and 
our land belongs to neither one nor the other, but 
to the Delawares, and I say to you that it is 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


87 


time to go to your village. We will keep both 
you and the English at arm’s length ; if you 
refuse to move back from our lands we will take 
up the rod you laid by the side of the basin in 
which was the beaver’s tail.’ ” 

Half-King paused as he thus finished repeating 
his speech made to the French commandant, and 
grunts of approval could be heard from many 
parts of the lodge. When silence reigned once 
more, he went on with his recital : 

When I was done the French governor said, 
as if he mocked the Delawares : ‘ Now, my child, 
I have heard your speech ; you spoke first, but it 
is my time to speak now. Where is my wampum 
that you took away, with the marks of the towns 
on it ? This wampum I do not know which you 
have driven me off the land with ; but you need 
not put yourself to the trouble of speaking, for I 
will not hear you. I am not afraid of flies nor 
mosquitoes, for Indians are such as those ; I tell 
you that down the river I will go, and build upon 
it according to my command. If the river is 
blocked up, I have forces sufficient to burst it 
open, and tread under my feet all that stand in 
opposition, together with their alliances ; for my 
force is as the sand upon the sea-shore, therefore 
here is your wampum ; I fling it to you. Child, 


S8 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

you talk foolishly ; you say this land belongs to 
you, but there is not the black of my nail yours. 
I saw the land sooner than you did, before the 
Shannoahs and you were at war. It is my land 
and I will have it, let who will stand up for, or 
say against it. I will buy and sell with the Eng- 
lish. If people will be ruled by me, they may 
expect kindness, but not else.’ These, Delawares, 
were the words spoken by tl\e Frenchman, and 
now let us hear what the English would say.” 

He motioned with his hand toward Major 
Washington, and thQ latter stood up, whispering 
to me as he did so : 

‘‘You will interpret carefully, and with due 
weight to the meaning, all I have to say. If I 
speak too quickly, let me know, and the words 
shall come more slowly.” 

Then he turned toward Shingias, speaking 
clearly, and waiting from time to time until cer- 
tain I had repeated in Delaware the English words : 

“ Brothers, I have met you here in council by 
order of your brother, the governor of Virginia, 
to acquaint you that I am sent with all possible 
despatch to visit and deliver a letter to the French 
commandant, a letter of very great importance 
to your brothers the English, and I dare say to you, 
their friends and allies. I was desired, brothers. 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


89 


by your brother the governor, to call upon you, 
the sachems of the nations, to inform you of it, 
and ask your advice and assistance to proceed by 
the nearest and best road to the French. You 
see, brothers, I have gotten thus far on my 
journey. His excellency likewise desired me to 
apply to you for some of your young men to con- 
duct and provide provisions for us on our way, 
and to be a safeguard against those French Indians 
who have taken up the hatchet against us. I 
have spoken thus particularly to you, brothers, 
because his excellency treats you as good friends 
and allies, and holds you in great esteem. To 
confirm what I have said, I give you this string 
of wampum.” 

As he ceased speaking our major drew from be- 
neath his hunting-shirt a large string of those 
shells which, when passed from one to another, is 
a token of friendship and alliance. 

Shingias took it in silence, and, walking to the 
opposite side of the lodge, consulted with the 
other sachems for some time, when once more 
Half-King advanced to the middle of the open 
space which served as platform for the speakers. 

‘‘My brother,” he began solemnly, “to that 
which our brother the governor has asked of us, 
we return you this answer. We rely upon you as 


90 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

brothers ought to do, for, as you say, we are 
brothers and one people. We shall put our hearts 
in our hands and speak to our fathers, the French, 
in answer to the speech they made to me, and you 
may depend we will try to be your guard. Broth- 
er, as you have asked our advice, we hope you 
will be ruled by it, and stay till we can provide a 
company to go with you. The people whom I 
have ordered in have not yet come, and cannot 
till the third night from this. We ask you to 
wait here for them.” 

Even I, unused to such grave business, under- 
stood that it would be near akin to folly for our 
major to push on alone with his small company, 
when by waiting he could have a large guard, and 
the words came to my lips almost before he 
uttered them. 

I shall follow the advice given by my brothers, 
the sachems of the Delawares.” 

With this promise from Major Washington 
that he would remain at Logstown until the young 
braves had come in, the council was at an end, 
and we white men returned to our tepee. Van 
Braam taking good care to walk very near our 
commander lest he come to some harm from the 
owners of the many scowling faces which greeted 
his gaze. 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


91 


Now it was that we spent three idle days, and 
they must have been weary ones to Master Van 
Braam, for he did not dare put his nose out of the 
tepee unless in company with the major. 

As for myself, I was well pleased at being able 
to go about this village of Logstown, which was 
the meeting place for the Six Nations, revisiting 
the places I knew during my captivity, and hold- 
ing converse with this brave or that squaw who 
had been reasonably kind to me when I was the 
slave of all who chose to claim my services. 

Regarding the incident on the bank of the stream 
when the interpreter of French spent the night 
out of doors, not a word was spoken by any mem- 
ber of our party so far as I know. Major Wash- 
ington appeared to think that Master Van Braam 
had been punished sufficiently for his insubordina- 
tion, and I can well fancy the Dutchman was of 
the same opinion. 

All our time was not wasted while we awaited 
the return of the braves. Master Gist called upon 
me to act as his interpreter while he questioned 
some of the older Delawares, and by such means 
was it learned that the nearest French outpost was 
at the old Indian settlement known as Venango, 
at the mouth of French creek on the Ohio, about 
sixty miles north of where we then were. 


92 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

The commandant was one Captain Joncaire, 
who had under him thirty men, and the Indians 
believed he was holding that place until a larger 
body of French should come down to take posses- 
sion of the river in various places. 

All this was valuable information to us ; but it 
caused our commander much uneasiness of mind, 
for he understood that, in order to render our 
mission of any value to the colonists of Virginia, 
it was necessary we arrive at Monsieur de St. 
Pierre’s headquarters before any decided move 
could be made by the enemy, and this taking pos- 
session of Venango looked much as if the French 
were ready to carry their plans into execution 
without loss of time. 

There must have been some such thought in the 
mind of Shingias, for he sent Punning Deer to 
our major, suggesting as much, and urging that 
he make the best possible speed once he had set 
out. 

All this had its effect on our commander, and 
when the third day since our arrival in Logstown 
had come to an end without witnessing the re- 
turn of the young braves. Major Washington 
bade me ask Shingias how much of an escort the 
Delawares would furnish at once, for it was not his 
purpose to wait any longer. 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


93 


As a matter of course a council meeting of the 
chiefs was necessary before this question could he 
answered, and it was called that same evening. 

The result of the conference was that Half- King, 
Jeskakake, White Thunder and Eunning Deer 
were ordered to serve Governor Dinwiddie’s mes- 
senger during the journey to the headquarters of 
the French forces nearabout the great lakes. 

Once this was made known to our commander he 
lost no time in nmking preparations to continue 
the march, and the council meeting had not been 
at an end more than ten minutes when we from 
Williamsburg recqljfed orders to be ready to set 
out by daybreak on the following morning. 

Master Van Braam looked rather down at the 
mouth when he learned that Eunning Deer would 
remain with our party, but Master Gist was well 
satisfied, as I heard him say to Master McQuire, 
for, as he explained, it was his hope the young 
Delaware would teach the interpreter of French 
a lesson before our journey had come to an end.” 

It was the 30th day of November when we set 
out from Logstown, our company increased to 
twelve, therefore we need fear only the elements, 
for we were so strong that any mortal enemy who 
might have been prowling around that way would 
not have dared attack us openly, and with such 


94 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


as we had among us it was positive we could not 
be taken by surprise. 

We were five days covering a distance of sixty 
miles, for the snow impeded our progress, and 
much time was spent building rafts on which to 
cross unfordable streams. Then again our Indians 
insisted on spending several hours each day hunt- 
ing, that we might be generously provided with 
meat, and, take it all in all, we loitered along after 
the fashion of people who were simply trying 
to pass away the hours, instead of messengers 
bent, as we were, on an errand which would 
admit of no delay if half we had heard concerning 
the movements of the French was true. 

Commandant Joncaire, who was holding Ve- 
nango, met us in person when we arrived at the 
settlement, and there was in my mind the sus- 
picion that he had already been warned of our 
coming. 

Now was the time when Master Van Braam 
had an opportunity to show why he was with the 
company, and he made more ado about the con- 
versation between our major and the comman- 
dant than I would have thought of doing had I 
been called upon to interpret during one of the 
great councils, when all the sachems of the Six 
Nations were present. 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER. 


95 


As I learned afterward, and was able to guess 
at somewhat during the interview, Monsieur 
Joncaire welcomed Major Washington with a 
profusion of fine words, which were in substance 
that he was almost overpowered with pleasure 
because of our visit, and hoped we might stay 
with him a long while. 

When our major explained that his purpose 
was to have an interview with Monsieur de St. 
Pierre, Captain Joncaire bowed himself to the 
ground under weight of promises that he would 
do all he could toward aiding us, and Master 
Gist whispered to me while the Frenchman was 
bowing and scraping : 

He talks too much to be speaking the truth, 
John Davidson. It stands us in hand to keep 
our eyes open, for yon grinning jackanapes would 
not hesitate to play us a scurvy trick if it suited 
his purpose. Remain close to our Indians, and I 
will swing around the settlement to see how the 
land lays. If the Dutchman was a decent man 
we might get much information through him ; 
but under all the circumstances it would be 
worse than useless to let him know we are sus- 
picious.” 

While Master Gist was speaking to me the 
French commandant had urged that Major 


96 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Washington take shelter in his hut, which was 
the largest in the settlement, and promised to 
provide roomy, comfortable quarters for all our 
party. 

And this he did faithfully. Had all of us been 
French officers we could not have been treated 
better than by Captain Joncaire. Our major 
accepted the invitation to share his hut, and I 
can well fancy his food was as generous in quan- 
tity, and as appetizing, as that served to us. 

As a matter of course the interpreter of French 
remained with our commander, therefore we 
white members of the company messed alone, 
with no disagreeable companions. 

The Indians were given quarters some dis- 
tance from our hut, and Eunning Deer described 
them as being ‘‘white-man fashion.” 

We ate heartily as people should who are pro- 
vided with the best of everything that can be 
found in the wilderness, and when supper was 
finished Master Gist insisted that I hunt up our 
Indians upon the pretext of delivering an order 
from the commander. 

Now that my stomach was full I no longer felt 
suspicious of Captain Joncaire ; yet I did as 
Master Gist had suggested, and when I was come 
to where Eunning Deer and his companions were 


AN ANGRY INTERPRETER.* 97 

lodged, something very like the cold chill of fear 
passed up and down my spine. 

Captain Joncaire had supplied his red guests 
with a quantity of liquor, and, setting three or 
four friendly Tightwees among them to make 
certain there would be a carousal, had laid the 
train, as it appeared to me, for much and serious 
mischief. 

Every Indian will drink when he gets the op- 
portunity, and once our allies were under the in- 
fluence of strong waters, the commandant could 
persuade them to do his bidding. 

The polite captain was plotting harm to those 
whom he had welcomed so warmly, and of that 
I was firmly convinced. 


7 


CHAPTER V. 


A FRENCH TRICK. 

That which I had seen in the hut occupied by 
the Indians caused me great anxiety, for I knew 
full well how much mischief might be done if the 
red men yielded wholly to the temptation Cap- 
tain Joncaire was placing in their path. 

In the hope that I might persuade Running 
Deer not to touch the liquor, I asked that he 
come out of doors with me for a moment ; but 
Half-King sternly ordered him to stay where he 
was, and told me that he would make complaint 
to the major if I wandered, without sufficient 
purpose, about the settlement. 

I understood by such a threat that the Indians 
intended to accept the more than doubtful hos- 
pitality of Captain Joncaire, and were counting 
on doing so without the knowledge of our leader, 
although why they reckoned on inducing Run- 
ning Deer to follow their example, puzzled me. 

As a matter of fact it was none of my business 
what the Delawares did, and I might be advised 
to mind my own affairs, if I went to the com- 
98 , , 


A FRENCH TRICK. 


99 


mander with any story or complaint, for, never 
mind what Van Braam might claim, an interpre- 
ter is no higher in rank than a serving man. 

However, I was thoroughly alarmed at the 
idea that our allies might become intoxicated, 
and, not able to hit upon any other plan, I went 
to Master Gist with an account of what I had seen. 

The frontiersman was even more disturbed in 
mind than I, for he understood thoroughly well 
how much mischief might be done, yet he did not 
take it upon himself to go to the major with a 
complaint. 

There was in his mind the thought that he 
might persuade Half-King or his companions to 
refuse such hospitality as the Frenchman was 
willing to extend, and bade me go with him as 
interpreter. 

I obeyed without protest, although if he had 
asked my opinion I could have told him that 
neither of the three sachems would listen to his 
remonstrances, if it were possible for them to 
stupefy themselves with strong waters. 

When we were come to the hut I had just 
visited, the door was barred against all comers ; 
but Master Gist was not content to be thus re- 
fused an entrance. He insisted on speaking face 
to face with Half-King, and called that chief 

t.r^C. 


100 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

again and again by his name until finally I heard 
Jeskakake order Eunning Deer to answer our 
summons. 

According to my belief matters had already 
gone too far for any friendly converse ; but Master 
Gist, having seen for himself that the Indians 
were in the midst of what would soon be a reg- 
ular orgy, counted on being able to check it. 

He ordered me to repeat his words slowly, so 
there would be no question as to their being 
understood, and then began by explaining why 
it was the French officer had supplied them with 
strong drink, at the same time urging that all su(3h 
indulgences be postponed until the major had had 
an interview with Monsieur de St. Pierre. 

It was good talk he made, if the words had been 
spoken an hour earlier I believe some benefit 
might have resulted ; but the Indians were too 
nearly intoxicated to listen to reason, and before 
Master Gist had concluded Half-King angrily 
bade him hold his tongue. He and his companions 
had come with the messenger from the governor 
of Virginia, as an especial favor, so the sachem 
said, not as slaves who could be forced to do this 
or that, and if the young major counted on forc- 
ing them to eat or drink after his own ideas, they 
would remain with their very good friend, the 


A FRENCH TRICK. 


101 


French captain, leaving the officer from Williams- 
burg to make his way toward the great lakes as 
best he could. 

It is folly to waste one’s breath on an half- 
intoxicated Indian, as Master Gist soon came to 
realize ; but he did not give over trying to persuade 
them to leave the fire-water alone, until White 
Thunder commanded Running Deer to close and 
bar the door upon us. 

When we were thus shut out from sight of the 
roysterers, I believed that there was nothing to 
be done save seek the shelter of our own quarters 
and there await the result, whatever it might be, 
with as much of patience as could be called up ; 
but Master Gist, understanding better than did I 
the depth of this French trick, insisted on having 
speech with our major at once. 

The young officer was with Captafn Joncaire, 
as I have already said, and when the frontiersman 
and I knocked for admission at the door of the 
commandant’s quarters, we were told by a soldier 
who stood guard before the entrance, that the 
officer would not allow himself to be disturbed 
unless it might be on some business concerning 
the immediate safety of the post. 

Fortunately this soldier spoke fairly good Eng- 
lish, else we might not have come to an end of 


102 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

the matter without the assistance of Master Van 
Braam. 

The frontiersman was not to be hindered in his 
duty by the rules and regulations of a petty 
military post such as was Venango, and speedily 
gave the sentinel to understand that we must 
speak with Major Washington or there would be 
serious mischief done. 

Of course this was a threat, and to the servant 
of our host ; but at such a time one could not 
stand on much ceremony, and the upshot of the 
whole affair was that our commander soon ap- 
peared at the door, looking black as a thunder- 
cloud until he saw who it was that had sum- 
moned him so peremptorily. 

Then his face cleared instantly, for he under- 
stood that Master Gist was not a man who would 
have thus disturbed him without very grave 
reasons. 

In the fewest possible words the major was 
given an account of the situation, and any save a 
blind man could have seen that he was mightily 
distressed in mind. 

After asking if the orgy had gone so far that 
it would be useless to try to check it, and being 
answered in the affirmative, the major said tome 
sharply, like one who is nervously anxious : 


A FRENCH trick:. 


103 


‘‘See to it, Davidson, that you find out all 
which goes on this night. Make friends with 
the post Indians, and if it so he you can join 
Running Deer, so much the better. I must know 
if any overtures are made the Delawares tending 
to excite them against the colonists. Report to 
me by daybreak to-morrow morning.’’ 

Then, withdrawing a little as if to prevent me 
from hearing what was said, the major held a 
brief conversation with Master Gist, at the con- 
clusion of which the frontiersman beckoned me to 
follow him as our commander went back to join 
the treacherous French captain. 

I had no stomach for the task set me. Time 
and time again while I was held a prisoner among 
the Delawares had I seen the braves engage in a 
drinking bout, and I knew full well to what 
lengths they would go when the frenzy of the 
liquor was upon them. More than once had I 
been saved from death by one of the squaws, who 
hid me when the orgy began, and even now, 
when I was in the company of the governor’s 
messenger, I did not doubt but that Half-King or 
White Thunder would slay me if I was conveni- 
ently at hand when the thirst for blood took pos- 
session of them. 

Something of this sort I said to Master Gist as 


104 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

we walked slowly away from headquarters toward 
the cabin occupied by the Delawares, and I ex- 
plained at the same time that I was not talking 
with the hope he might assist me in shirking the 
duty ; but in order that he should understand 
how much of danger there was in the work which 
seemed, at first glance, to be so trifling. 

‘‘I’ve got a pretty clear idea of what the Dela- 
' wares are up to by this time, for I have seen them 
at a carouse before to-night,” Master Gist said in 
a friendly tone. “At the same time there’s 
nothing for it but to obey orders, and I’m free to 
say I believe it is of very great importance to our 
party that you do the business thoroughly. I 
will stay close by the door of the hut, outside, 
and if there happens to be any trouble, you should 
be able to get at me.” 

He knew as well as did I that if the Indians 
made an attack upon me I would find it difficult 
indeed to take any steps toward effecting my 
own safety, and I understood that he spoke thus, 
simply in order to hearten me. 

Well, I went straight on toward the Indians’ 
quarters, taking good care not to show the fear 
which was within my heart, and, having come to 
the door, stood silently by Master Gist’s side for 
an instant to listen. 


A FRENCH TRICK. 


105 


It was evident, by the sounds which came from 
the hut, that some of the post Indians were pay- 
ing a visit, most likely to urge the Delawares, at 
the proper moment, to make friends with the 
French, and I knew that all who were speaking 
had indulged freely in fire-water. 

Had I remained there inactive many moments 
my heart would have grown so timorous that I 
could not have carried out the task set me by the 
commander, therefore, in order to save myself 
from being branded as a coward by the man whom 
I had learned to respect for his bravery and skill, 
I sounded the call of the white owl, which was a 
signal agreed upon by Eunning Deer and myself 
many years before, when I believed that all my 
life would be spent among the Delawares as a 
slave. 

The signal was answered within a few seconds 
after it was given, as Eunning Deer opened the 
door to peer out. 

I could see by the refiection of light from the 
interior that he, like his elders, had been drink- 
ing; but my orders had been to join the party, 
and I set about doing so by saying as I stepped 
close to his side : 

Would Eunning Deer and the sachems of the 
Delawares be alone ? Is it forbidden that the 


106 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

prisoner shall remain with those who were his 
friends, now that he has been freed ? ” 

‘‘ Where are your quarters he asked, as if 
suspecting that my reasons for coming there were 
not simply that I might be with him. 

At the further end of the settlement. Only 
the hunters and traders are there, and they do not 
make talk with one whom they believe so far 
beneath them as I.” 

Where is the Dutchman who speaks 
French ? ” 

‘^At Captain Joncaire’s quarters with Major 
Washington.” 

That is good,” Eunning Deer said excitedly 
as he seized me roughly by the shoulder to draw 
me nearer. I shall kill the Dutchman before 
morning. He would have cut me down when 
I was helpless, and now he shall taste the same 
fate.” 

‘‘But how can you do that?” I cried, asking 
the question more for the purpose of thus giving 
Master Gist information, than because I was 
eager at the moment to discuss a murder with 
the Indian. “ He is with the French officer, and 
you would not be allowed to step your foot inside 
the cabin.” 

“You shall soon see how that may be. The 



Running Deer seized me roughly by the shoulder to draw me 
nearer, and said, “ I shall kill the Dutchman before morning.” 
Page io6. When Washington Served the King 



A FRENCH TRICK. 


107 


Frenchman will not stand in my way if our peo- 
ple make friends with his nation. One of the 
Tight wee sachems has promised to take me 
where the Dutchman will be sleeping.’’ 

‘‘ Then you have smoked the pipe with your old 
enemies, those in whose tepees hang the scalps of 
the Delawares, that you may kill one coward who 
does not deserve to be cut down by a brave man. 
Let the squaws finish him.” 

‘‘ Running Deer will speak to him to-night, and 
after that the Dutchman can never hear another 
voice. I have not made peace with the Tight- 
wees ; but when they offer me the coward who 
speaks French, I am ready to take him.” 

As he spoke Running Deer would have drawn 
me inside the cabin ; but I, hoping to give Master 
Gist yet further information regarding what was 
afoot, laughingly pulled the young brave toward 
me. 

Now it was that I labored to save the life of 
Yan Braam. He was no friend of mine, and I 
doubted not but that he would have worked me 
an injury if the chance came his way, yet I could 
not stand idly by while the French captain allowed 
him to be killed in order that the Delawares and 
the colonists should dig up the hatchet one against 
another. 


108 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

But Eunning Deer had finished his speech, and 
would say nothing more regarding his plan, 
closely though I questioned him, and, finally, it 
became necessary for me to go inside, leaving 
•Master Gist crouching within the shadow of the 
building. 

But that I had been a spectator at such a scene 
before, I might have thought I had stumbled 
into a place habited by unearthly beings, and, 
indeed, I question if men, whether they be red or 
white, are better than demons when filled with 
strong drink. 

The one room of the cabin was faintly illumined 
by the glow of burning logs in the huge fireplace 
of rocks and clay. In the middle of the room stood 
a rough table whereon were jugs of liquor, with 
metal drinking cups sufficient in number to pro- 
vide each person with one. 

No less than a dozen Tight wees were hobnob- 
bing with the Delawares, and if Half-King had 
not partaken too freely of the liquor when they 
arrived, he would have known they were not there 
for love of those whom they had fought so many 
generations. 

I could see plainly that those who played the 
hosts were doing their best to press more liquor 
upon the sachems, and this I knew would not have 


A FRENCH trick:. 


109 


been done save by the express commands of Cap- 
tain Joncaire himself. 

All the Indians were talking loudly, and I 
observed that whenever the Delawares spoke on 
other subjects, the Tigh twees always brought the 
conversation back to the Dutchman's attempt to 
kill Eunning Deer. 

That there would be serious trouble in the set- 
tlement before many hours had passed, I knew 
full well, and it was by no means certain our 
party would come out of the fight uninjured, 
although it hardly seemed probable the French 
captain would go so far as to countenance any 
serious acts of violence toward the white members 
of the company, since it surely must provoke war 
between the colonists of Virginia and those who 
were erecting forts along the banks of the great 
rivers. 

The orgy had arisen to such a height that I 
could be of no benefit, so far as reporting pro- 
ceedings was concerned, for before I should have 
another opportunity of speaking with Major 
Washington or Master Gist, the explosion would 
have come. 

Even while this thought was in my mind the 
mischief was begun. Going to the door, one of the 
Tightwees offered to show Eunning Deer a chance 


110 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

to strike down the Dutchman, even though it 
should be necessary to enter the commandant’s 
quarters. 

Half-King urged the lad forward, and White 
Thunder declared they would all go with him in 
order to bear witness of his prowess after the 
return to their own village. 

In an instant the entire party, numbering no 
less than seventeen, was in motion, and I shud- 
dered as I realized that if Master Gist had not 
received warning in time to conceal himself, he 
was at that moment in most serious danger. 

I need not have feared that the old frontiersman 
would be caught wool-gathering at such a time. 
Following close behind the Indians who escorted 
Eunning Deer, I looked in vain for Master Gist, 
and seeing him not, believed he had gone to warn 
our major. 

So far as I was concerned, it would have been 
impossible for me to have attempted to run in 
advance of the would-be murderei vithout call- 
ing down suspicion upon myself, and at such a 
time the lightest incautious breath might cause 
a man’s death. 

Now it was that I gazed around sharply while 
Eunning Deer, marching by my side, boasted of 
what he was about to do, and this I did in order 


A FRENCH TRICK. 


Ill 


to be able to say later, if indeed I lived to bear 
witness, whether the Frenchmen, officers or pri- 
vates, made any real effort to check the out- 
break. 

The sentinels or loungers whom we met stepped 
aside to let the lawless gathering pass, as if such 
had been their orders, and when we were come 
even to the door of Captain Joncaire’s quarters, 
the same soldier who had questioned Master Gist’s 
right to enter, moved away to give Half-King 
and two of the Tightwees who led the party, free 
passage. 

Now it was that Eunning Deer dashed forward 
knife in hand ready to do the deed, and wishing 
to show himself eager to avenge the insult, thus 
leaving me comparatively alone. 

Hurriedly I looked around, trying to decide in 
which direction the majority of Major Washing- 
tion’s company would be found, when my arm 
was clutched by one whose face I could not see in 
the darkness, but I had no fear in following the 
pressure because of believing that there was in 
the entire settlement no one, save a member of 
our own company, who would raise so much as a 
finger to save my life. 

Just as I was led into a log hut which stood 
within a dozen paces of the captain’s quarters. 


112 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

the Indians rushed into the commandant’s house 
with a whoop and a yell. 

The heavy door was closed and barred as I 
stepped over the threshold, and then I became 
aware that all our company were assembled here 
arms in hand, as if awaiting an attack. 

And well might we prepare to defend ourselves 
to the bitter end, even while believing that we had 
come to Venango only to meet our death, for if 
Captain Joncaire would sanction an attack upon 
Van Braam, as he unquestionably had done, there 
was good reason to believe that, having gone so 
far, he would not hesitate to finish the job by 
letting the Tightwees loose upon us. 

At such a time it heartened one mightily to 
speak with our commander. W e had in our party 
men who were accustomed to scenes of danger in 
every form ; but never one of us appeared so much 
at ease, so thoroughly prepared for anything that 
might happen, as did Major Washington. 

As I entered he beckoned for me to approach, 
and when we stood comparatively alone he asked 
for an account of what I had seen in the quarters 
of the Delawares. 

I replied as best I could, and when my story was 
come to an end he muttered half to himself : 

‘‘ So Captain Joncaire does not hesitate to make 


A FRENCH TRICK. 113 

an attack upon messengers from the governor of 
Virginia ! ” 

It surely must be his doings, sir,” I made 
bold to reply, and then I told him how the senti- 
nels had behaved when the would-be murderers 
were making their way through the settlement. 

The major turned away ; but since he had not 
dismissed me, I remained standing at one end of 
the room like a simple, and while thus needlessly 
waiting, heard Master Gist say grimly to Master 
McQuire : 

‘‘I reckon this is our last stand, Tom, for if it 
so be the treacherous Frenchman turns all his red 
snakes loose upon us, we’re hound to go down.” 

Ay, that we are ; but we’ll leave behind a 
record so that the people of Venango may tell in 
years to come how Virginians could die ! ” Master 
McQuire replied, looking to his musket to make 
certain it was ready for use, and at that instant 
we heard shouts and yells from the direction of 
the commandant’s quarters, betokening that the 
savages had just discovered the Dutchman’s 
absence. 

Van Braam, who was crouching in one corner 
of the room absolutely livid with fear, trembled 
like a person in an ague fit when he heard the 

cries of those who would kill him, and, even 

8 


Hi WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

while believing we would soon be fighting des- 
perately with no hope of success, I was curious 
to know how he had gotten away from Captain 
Joncaire’s entertainment in time to save his 
worthless life. 

It was to Master Gist that I applied for in- 
formation, and he said with a laugh that had in 
it little of mirth : 

I reckon you can credit me with that much, 
if indeed it is any credit to save a miserable cow- 
ard like the Dutchman. When Eunning Deer 
announced so loudly that he was going to kill 
the interpreter, I knew full well he would never 
have dared to make such boasts in a French en- 
campment unless with good reason. Therefore 
I ran with all speed to headquarters, stopping 
not to ask permission to enter of the sentinel, 
but pushing him aside as if he had been a fly, 
and crying out as I was come into the room, 
‘ Will you come to our quarters. Major, you 
and the interpreter ? And come quickly if you 
would save a man’s life ! ’ You see I told no lie 
there, for it was in fact to save a man’s life.” 

‘‘And did they take the hint ?” I asked won- 
dering at the presence of mind displayed by the 
frontiersman. 

“ The Dutchman would have been there yet, 


A FRENCH TRICK. 


115 


if he had been alone ; hut our major don’t need 
two kicks to make him understand there’s some- 
body behind him, and he and I literally dragged 
Van Braam away.” 

And what did Captain Joncaire say ? ” 

‘^Oh, he was fooled completely. He shouted 
that we must come directly back, and asked if he 
could render any assistance. The Dutchman in- 
terpreted his words up to that point, and then 
the major and I had him out of doors. We came 
straight here as a matter of course. Currin vol- 
unteered to go back in search of you, and we’re 
all together, lad, with a good chance of d3dng in 
a lump when the ammunition shall have been 
used up. I reckon we can hold out that long, 
which is considerable satisfaction when you take 
time to look at it in the proper light.” 

By this time the tumult just outside the build- 
ing was great. Amid the cries and threats of th^ 
Indians I could hear voices speaking in French, 
and I knew enough of the language to under- 
stand that the officers were trying to send the 
Indians back to their quarters. 

Judging from such efforts one would say that 
Captain Joncaire was not willing to go quite so 
far as to personally aid in the murder of an ac- 
credited messenger from Governor Dinwiddie to 


116 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


General de St. Pierre, and was doing his best to 
call off the red dogs he had set upon us. 

It was not a simple task which he had before 
him. His people had given strong drink to 
Tightwee and Delaware alike, and the result 
was that the village was filled with a howling, 
drunken gang of savages who thirsted for blood, 
caring not one whit whether it was French or 
English, so that they might gratify their lust for 
killing. 

Before the demons learned where we had taken 
refuge. Captain Joncaire had stationed a file of 
soldiers around our building, and we knew that 
the danger was over for the time being. 

The Frenchman was willing to have them 
kill an interpreter, for that kind of cattle don’t 
amount to very much,” Master Gist said with 
a quizzical glance toward me ; ‘‘but when it 
comes to attacking the messenger from the gov- 
ernor of Virginia, and his escort, it is just a 
shade too strong for his stomach.” 

These words had no more than been uttered 
when there was a loud knocking at the door of 
the hut in which we had taken refuge, and after 
hesitating while one might have counted ten, 
Major Washington asked sharply : 

“Who’s there ?” 


A FRENCH TRICK. 


117 


Captain Joncaire,” came the reply, accom- 
panied with a lot of jargon which I could not 
understand. 

Master Gist literally pulled Van Braam out of 
the corner, ordering him to interpret the captain’s 
words ; but the Dutchman was so nearly para- 
lyzed with terror that he could not even speak. 

I made so bold as to tell Master Gist that I 
could speak French, and interpret it fairly well 
providing the words were not hurled at me too 
rapidly, whereupon Major Washington cut me 
short by bidding me conduct the parley, or what- 
ever it might prove to be, with Captain Jon- 
caire. 

It is not necessary that I set down the conver- 
sation as it was carried on with a heavy door 
stoutly barred between the speakers, for the gal- 
lant captain said very much more than was needed, 
and our major bit off his words precious short. 

The substance of it was much as follows : 

Captain Joncaire was overwhelmed with as- 
tonishment because the Tightwees had dared to 
take part in any outbreak where he was con- 
cerned, and he could only account for it on the 
grounds that the Delawares had enticed them into 
such wickedness. 

Major Washington reminded the captain that 


118 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

the French sentinels had readily given passage to 
those who openly avowed their purpose of killing 
a member of the English party. 

Captain Joncaire was overwhelmed with grief 
because any of his men had been so remiss in their 
duty. The whole affair was deeply regretted by 
him, who had exerted himself to such purpose 
that the short-lived insurrection was crushed, and 
he prayed that his good friend Major Washing- 
ton would return to his quarters where the de- 
tails of the matter could readily be explained in 
such a manner that the most prejudiced might 
see he was guiltless. 

That Frenchman would have had a precious 
long job of it trying to wheedle me away from my 
fortifications after I knew what had been done ; 
but Major Washington appeared to be perfectly 
satisfied with the explanation. 

He ordered me to say that he was much relieved 
in mind to know that the captain had succeeded 
in quelling the disturbance, and that he would go 
at once, with the greatest pleasure, to the com- 
mandant’s quarters. 

Had I dared to make any suggestion to our 
commander, I should have urged that it was far 
from safe to trust himself in the clutches of the 
treacherous Frenchman, and I was surprised that 


A FRENCH TRICK. 


119 


the remainder of our party held their peace when 
the major unbarred the door, throwing it wide 
open as if rejoicing at another glimpse of the 
hewhiskered, grinning captain. 

I was ordered to attend as interpreter of French, 
for the Dutchman was so thoroughly done up by 
fear as to be of no use whatsoever in any capacity, 
and from that hour until past midnight I sat in 
the captain’s house translating soft speeches, when 
it would have done me solid good to have slapped 
the false officer’s face. 

During this last visit of the major’s, Captain 
Joncaire explained, apparently to his own satis- 
faction, how the outbreak had been brought about, 
and he was careful to lay nearly all the blame on 
the Delawares, declaring stoutly that he was 
firmly convinced the Tightwees would never have 
ventured upon anything of the kind until after 
much persuasion. 

I grew alternately hot and cold with anger be- 
cause our major did not call upon me to repeat 
what I had heard in the quarters assigned the 
Delawares ; but he sat there like an image, evi- 
dently forgetting that I had been sent out to spy, 
and made as if he believed every word the lying 
captain uttered. 

Not until he rose to take his departure did Major 


120 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Washington say anything which might have 
sounded like distrust of his host, and then it was 
to remind him that he hoped to receive informa- 
tion of General de St. Pierre’s whereabouts at an 
early hour next morning, for it was his purpose to 
continue the journey at the earliest possible mo- 
ment lest the Delawares make more mischief for 
Captain Joncaire. 

The Frenchman professed to be overwhelmed 
with grief because his beloved guest ” was eager 
to depart so soon, and urged that it would be im- 
possible to leave Venango within six and thirty 
hours at the very earliest, since the Indians would 
not have recovered from their drunkenness before 
that time. In fact, he spoke more fine words than 
I ever heard before, and I dare venture to say 
that never one of them had the truth in it. 

The major was quite as polite as his host, and 
it kept me racking my brain to turn all the soft 
phrases into French ; hut I succeeded after a 
fashion, and came near to trembling with fear 
when I saw that our commander counted on going 
through the village without an escort, on his 
return to our quarters. 

Crazy with drink as were all the Indians by this 
time, it seemed the very height of imprudence, and 
even Captain Joncaire appeared concerned regard- 


A FRENCH TRICK. 121 

ing the danger, for he urged our leader to suffer 
one of the sentinels to precede him. 

If ever a man took his own life in his hands, 
Major Washington did that night when he re- 
fused all the offers made by the Frenchman, and 
walked slowly down the road to his quarters, I 
following close behind and expecting each minute 
to feel the ping of a bullet, or to be stricken down 
by a hatchet. 

Nothing of the kind occurred, however, and 
when we were safe in the hut which had been as- 
signed to us, I went straight to Master Gist with 
my story, insisting that our commander did not 
possess the prudence which every brave man 
should have in times of extreme danger. 

‘^I’m not certain that I agree with you, lad,” 
the old frontiersman said when I was come to an 
end of my overly long story. ‘‘It is well these 
Frenchmen should be given to understand that 
we of Virginia are not easily scared, and by re- 
fusing his protection the major has taught him 
a thing or two, I reckon. According to what 
you’ve told me, we seem to be about where we 
were before the fracas commenced, and I’m think- 
ing there ’ll be worse trouble in trying to get 
away.” 

“ Do you believe the captain would dare to play 


122 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

any trick now that his first one has been exposed ? ” 
I asked in surprise. 

‘‘Unless General de St. Pierre is the kind of a 
man who would countenance open murder, I ques- 
tion if the captain dares send us on our journey 
lest we get him into hot water with his superior 
officer by repeating the story of this night’s busi- 
ness,” Master Gist replied gravely, and now that 
the matter was presented in such a light, I found 
much food on which to feed the timorousness that 
had begun to spring up in my heart when I fol- 
lowed the major down the dark road, knowing 
full well we were surrounded by enemies. 


CHAPTER VI. 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 

Major Washington did not hold any converse 
with the members of his company after he and I 
had returned from the visit to Captain Joncaire’s 
quarters. 

It was much as if he had been plunged into a 
brown study from the moment the Frenchman’s 
door was closed behind us, and, as I looked at the 
situation, there was good cause for his preoccupa- 
tion. 

I had no further desire to talk after Master Gist 
suggested that it might be difficult for us to get 
away from Venango, and I was not the only one, 
apparently, who preferred to keep a close tongue 
just at that time. 

After the old frontiersman and I held the con- 
versation which I have already set down, he laid 
himself in front of the door, his blanket wrapped 
loosely around him so that he might spring up 
without hindrance at a second’s notice, and the 
others of our party remained silent, wearing that 
123 


124 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

air which men take on when imminent danger is 
known to threaten. 

There was little need of a sentinel while Master 
Gist remained across the threshold of the room, 
and no question was made of standing watch ; but 
I believe our commander never closed his eyes 
during that long, weary night, for each time I 
looked around me, the major was softly pacing 
the floor at the further end of the cabin, thus giv- 
ing token that he was consumed with anxiety. 

Outside, the drunken Indians were making 
night hideous with their howls and yells ; but I 
took note that they remained at a respectful dis- 
tance from our quarters, which was, to my mind 
at least, proof that Captain Joncaire had grown 
more prudent. 

The situation was grave indeed. If the French 
general had given orders that a quarrel be picked 
with us before we could arrive at his headquarters, 
then we had good reason for believing that, even 
though we were allowed to depart in peace from 
this village, there was little hope of reaching our 
destination. 

In case Captain Joncaire had taken upon him- 
self the responsibility of inciting the Indians 
against one of our party in order to work us a 
mischief, then would he strive his utmost to pre- 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


125 


vent Major Washington from having speech with 
General de St. Pierre. 

View it as you might, there was much to 
alarm, with nothing reassuring in the situation, 
and I turned and twisted the matter in my mind 
until sleep put an end to vain speculations. 

Not until a new day had dawned did I awaken to 
a consciousness of our surroundings, and then, 
apparently, everything was as calm and tranquil 
as if we were among our most trusted friends. 

Steward and Jenkins served out the rations, 
and we had hardly more than eaten the meal 
when a messenger came from Captain Joncaire 
with the request that our major would do him 
the honor of breaking fast with him. 

To our great surprise the young officer accepted 
the invitation without hesitation, and Masters 
Gist and McQuire immediately put on a look of 
deepest anxiety, for to their minds it was not safe 
to trust the treacherous Frenchman any further. 

As a matter of course neither of the men made 
any protest against the major’s acting upon the 
dictates of his own judgment ; but I knew full 
well that they would have prevented him from 
going had he given them opportunity. 

The expression on the Dutchman’s face when he 
was ordered to accompany our commander, was 


126 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

comical in the extreme. He literally trembled, 
and on the sudden his face went white as if all 
the blood had left it. 

I must give him credit for obeying, however, 
and when he had ventured forth timidly at the 
heels of the major, the traders began discussing 
the situation freely. 

After a time, when they had talked much with- 
out arriving at any definite conclusion. Master 
Gist suggested that I make an effort to gain speech 
with Eunning Deer, in order to learn in what 
temper the Indians were now that the orgy was 
at an end. 

I would have felt far safer in the major’s 
company than prowling around the village alone 
while both the Delawares and the Tightwees were 
excited by the strong drink they had taken ; but 
it can well be fancied that I did not let my compan- 
ions suspect there was anything approaching fear 
in my heart, and with as much of an assumption 
of courage as could be called up at a moment’s 
notice, I ventured forth. 

It appeared to me as if all the French soldiers 
in the- village were on guard, and I noted that 
they watched me closely, sometimes acting as if 
on the point of advising me to remain with my 
own party, which, as can be imagined, did not 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 127 

tend to restore confidence in the safety of my 
task. 

But few savages were to be seen outside the 
buildings, and I finally came opposite the quarters 
of the Delawares without having been molested, 
save by an occasional whoop of defiance from some 
brave who was so far under the influence of 
liquor as to be virtually helpless. 

By a piece of rare good luck I arrived just as 
Kunning Deer came out with a gourd in his hand, 
evidently having been sent for water with which 
to soothe the parched and burning throats of the 
three sachems, and I stood upon no ceremony in 
hailing him. 

He looked rather ashamed of himself when his 
eyes met mine ; but since I made no reference to 
the events of the previous evening, he recovered 
his ordinary demeanor in a few moments, and we 
two walked in a most friendly fashion toward the 
spring. 

How soon before the sachems will be ready to 
continue the march ? ” I asked in what I intended 
should be a careless tone, and he looked up 
quickly — suspiciously, as it seemed to me. 

‘‘Did the governor's messenger send you to 
ask that question ? ” 

“ Not a bit of it.” I replied with a laugh. “ I 


128 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

am burning to have done with this traveling 
through the forest when one is forced to swim 
so much that his clothing is always frozen stiff.” 

‘‘We cannot go to-day,” he said after a brief 
pause, without looking at me. 

“ Why not ? ” 

“The sachems will hold a council with the 
French captain before we depart.” 

“ To what end ? ” I asked in surprise. 

“The Delawares are not pleased that the 
Frenchmen come upon their hunting grounds, and 
he who commands at this post has the power to 
prevent it.” 

“Who told you that lie ?” I cried, striving to 
keep back the fear from my face, for in this I 
saw another trick of Captain Joncaire’s to delay 
us in Venango. 

“ It is no lie ; Half-King has said so.” 

“ When will the council come to an end ? ” 

“Not till to-night.” 

“ Then we are to set out to-morrow morning ? ” 

“If it pleases the sachems ; they are not slaves 
to the governor of Virginia.” 

“ Who has said they were ? ” 

“ The French soldiers believe it.” 

I did not dare hold very much converse with 
Eunning Deer until after having had advice 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


129 


from Master Gist, therefore I said as if it was of 
little concern to me : 

“ The French are not the friends of the Dela- 
wares, else why do they smoke the pipe with the 
Tight wees ? Two days ago you would have re- 
fused to touch the hand of one belonging to that 
tribe, unless it was to slay him, and yet now you 
drink and carouse in company.” 

‘‘White Thunder has said we are brothers 
until ” 

He came to a full stop, and I understood that 
he had been on the point of divulging some 
secret. 

It would not be wise to let him suppose I was 
eager to pry into what had been said by the 
sachems, therefore I turned away, explaining that 
1 must go back to quarters in order to be* on hand 
when our major returned from feasting with 
Captain Joncaire. 

“Is he with the French captain?” Eunning 
Deer asked in surprise, thus telling me that the 
Delawares had believed the hatchet would be soon 
dug up between the invaders and the colonists. 

“ Of a verity ; they are good friends still, even 
though Captain Joncaire gave you permission to 
kill the Dutchman.” 

“He knew what the fat coward would have 
9 


130 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

done to me, and it was but right for him to shut 
his eyes when I and the sachems went into his 
tepee searching for the interpreter.” 

‘‘Come and see me after the council,” I called 
over my shoulder as I hastened away, believing I 
had learned all Master Gist desired to know, and 
Eunning Deer nodded his head to say he would 
do so. 

I had no more than announced to those in our 
cabin that which had been learned from the Dela- 
ware, before Major Washington and the Dutch- 
man returned, neither of them looking very well 
pleased. 

Master Gist, believing I had gained valuable in- 
formation, repeated my story to the commander, 
who said curtly : 

“ I have- heard as much from Captain Joncaire. 
He claims authority from General de St. Pierre 
to settle disputes between the French and Indians, 
and will hold a council very shortly.” 

“ Are we to wait quietly here until our enemies 
have arranged matters to their own liking ? ” 
Master Gist made bold to ask, and the major 
replied with a question : 

“ In your opinion what should we do ? ” 

“ Press on at once. If the Delawares choose to 
remain behind, leave them. The longer we stay 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


131 


in this village the slighter are our chances of ever 
being able to deliver the governor’s letter. 

By so doing we would cut ourselves away 
from the Delawares entirely, allowing the belief 
that they were looked upon as enemies, and such 
a step might he fatal to the settlers this side of 
Frazier’s plantation.” 

‘ ^ But suppose the Delawares cut away from us ? ” 
McQuire asked grimly. 

‘‘If we have done all we can to prevent it, then 
are our skirts clean. I do not believe Half-King 
will declare against the colonists in favor of the 
French, unless we give him some good excuse. 
We must stay until it is certain what the Dela- 
wares will do, and then, if necessary, we can cut 
our way through to the Forks of the Ohio.” 

It was a brave speech, and, from my experience 
with him since then, I believe Major Washington 
would have been ready to try such a desperate 
venture ; but certain it is that four times our 
number could not have gained the river if the 
Delawares opposed the passage. 

However, we were forced to remain idle, since 
the commander had so declared ; but we knew 
positively, from what Kunning Deer had let drop, 
that Captain Joncaire was our bitter enemy. 

The major gave orders for all our company to 


132 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

remain closely under cover during this day, lest 
some pretext be made to pick a quarrel with us, 
and dull work it was, with nothing to relieve the 
suspense but such glimpses as could be had of the 
Indians as they assembled in council near by the 
captain’s quarters. 

Eunning Deer did not visit us until late in the 
day, when the major, in response to a pressing 
invitation, was taking dinner with the captain, 
and then the Delaware announced that the coun- 
cil was not come to an end ; hut only interrupted 
until the following morning. 

We knew full well that this was but a pretext 
of the captain’s for delaying us yet further ; but 
since our commander had declared we would re- 
main to the bitter end, there was nothing for us 
to do but practice patience. 

I am allowing myself too many words regard- 
ing this portion of my experience if I would come 
to an end of the story before we leave this grave- 
yard of a Valley Forge, therefore no more shall 
be set down regarding our anxieties while detained 
at Venango, save to say that not until the noon 
of December 7th did Captain Joncaire come to an 
end of his excuses of holding us back from our 
journey. 

Then it was Half -King himself who forwarded 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


133 


matters. Once the fumes of liquor were out of 
his brain he understood that the Frenchman was 
simply trying to make mischief between the Dela- 
wares and the English of Virginia, and such a 
breach was not to his liking, or in accordance with 
the instructions he had received from Shingias. 

It mattered little to me how the departure was 
brought about, so that we finally succeeded in 
leaving Venango, and I looked forward with some- 
thing like joyful anticipations to the hardships of 
the journey, because by enduring them we were 
so soon to part company with Captain Joncaire. 

We met with nothing in the way of danger dur- 
ing the four and a half days that were spent in 
traversing the distance from the outpost to Fort 
LeBoeuf,* which was situated fifteen miles south 
of Lake Erie on a branch of French Creek. 

It proved a most doleful journey. The snow 
was falling when we left Venango, and before 
nightfall it had turned to rain. The trail was 
crossed and re-crossed by streams over which we 
managed to swim the horses, and by swamps 
through which we waded until the animals were 
so nearly exhausted that more than once did it 
seem certain we would be obliged to abandon 
them. 


* Now Watorford. 


13J: WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

While we were on the march either rain or snow 
fell incessantly, and at no time did we have an 
opportunity to dry our garments ; we were liter- 
ally incased in ice, as if in armor, and I ques- 
tion if one among us escaped having fingers and 
toes frost-bitten. 

The Indians, who were partly responsible for the 
long delay at Venango, complained bitterly, and 
Eunning Deer told me on the second night, when 
he and I walked around the feeble camp-fire dur- 
ing all the hours of darkness to prevent ourselves 
from freezing to death, that Jeskakake had de- 
clared he would remain with the French until 
after the winter had gone. 

If one of the Delawares decided to stay at Fort 
Le Boeuf it was certain all would, and I asked 
myself how it might be possible to make our way 
back to Williamsburg without these guides. 

My forebodings fied in a measure, however, 
when, on the afternoon of December 11th, we 
arrived within sight of Fort Le Boeuf, where we 
knew could be had warmth and rest, however 
much our enemy the commandant might be. 

Not many months ago I saw a copy of the re- 
port concerning this fort which Major Washing- 
ton made to the governor of Virginia, and I set 
it down here that he who reads may have some 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


135 


idea of the French headquarters when that nation 
was striving so earnestly to gain possession of the 
great rivers. 

‘‘It is situated on the south or west fork of 
French Creek, near the water ; and is almost sur- 
rounded by the creek, and a small branch of it 
which forms a kind of island. Four houses com- 
pose the sides. The bastions are made of piles 
driven into the ground, standing more than 
twelve feet above it, and sharp at the top ; with 
port-holes cut for the cannon, and loop-holes for 
the small arms to fire through. There are eight six- 
pound pieces mounted in each bastion, and one 
piece of four-pound before the gate. In the bastions 
are a guard-house, chapel, doctor’s lodging, and 
the commander’s private store ; round which are 
laid platforms for the cannon and the men to stand 
on. There are several barracks without the fort, 
for the soldiers’ dwelling, covered, some with bark, 
and some with boards, made chiefly of logs. 
There are also several other houses, such as stables, 
smith’s shop, etc. I could get no certain account 
of the men here ; but according to the best judg- 
ment I could form, there are an hundred, exclu- 
sive of officers, of which there are many. I also 
gave orders to the people who were with me, to 
take an exact account of the canoes which were 


136 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

hauled up to convey the forces down in the spring. 
This they did, and told fifty of birch bark, and an 
hundred and seventy of pine ; besides many others 
which were blocked out in readiness for being 
made.” 

At the moment of our arrival I gave no heed to 
the fort, however ; it was enough for me that once 
inside I might warm and dry my abused body, 
and for the moment the fact that we were a party 
from the governor of Virginia visiting the repre- 
sentative of the French king on an affair of state, 
was almost entirely forgotten by me. I saw only 
a company brought to the verge of exhaustion by 
the hardships endured, and seeking a shelter. 

Nothing could have exceeded the warmth of 
our welcome ; the commandant himself aided our 
major to alight, and I heard him give orders that 
all of us should be entertained in the best possible 
manner. 

What comfort there was in the warmth of the 
glowing fire ! How much of satisfaction in the 
knowledge that at last we were sheltered from the 
snow, the rain and the wintry blasts ! 

It is not my purpose to devote many words to 
our visit to the fort, for of my own knowledge I 
knew very little of what was done while we re- 
mained snug and secure against the elements. 


AT HEADQUARTEBS. 


137 


Now that there was nothing to he feared from 
the Indians, the Dutchman blossomed out in great 
style as an interpreter, and one would have said 
his rank was higher than our major’s. 

As Master Gist told me from time to time, the 
commandant promised, when Major Washington 
dined with him that evening, to give immediate 
attention to the letter from Governor Dinwiddie, 
and however much his subaltern at Venango had 
sinned against the laws of hospitality. Monsieur 
de St. Pierre could not be charged with even the 
slightest act of discourtesy. 

On the day after our arrival a general meeting 
of the officers belonging to the fort was called, 
and before them Master Van Braam read the 
governor’s message, while the major explained its 
meaning as he had been ordered to do. 

It appears, so Master Gist told me, that Gover- 
nor Dinwiddie had written to the effect that the 
lands lying on the Ohio river belonged to the 
crown of Great Britain, and expressed his surprise 
that the French had made any attempt at taking 
possession of them. The governor asked by 
whose authority an armed force had crossed the 
lakes, and urged that General de St. Pierre return 
to whence he came, quickly and peacefully. 

All this the commandant listened to attentively, 


138 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


and when the Dutchman w§-s come to an end, re- 
plied that he had no authority to discuss such 
matters. He was acting under the instructions 
of the Marquis Duquesne, governor of Canada, 
and it was to him that Governor Dinwiddie should 
have sent the message. It was certain, however, 
that the request for him to go back could not be 
complied with, since he must obey the orders given 
by his superior in office. 

This much he said as man to man, address- 
ing Major Washington ; but he asked for time 
in which to prepare, with the assistance of his 
officers, a proper answer to Governor Dinwiddie, 
and in the meanwhile we were to consider our- 
selves honored guests. 

As a matter of course there was nothing for us 
to do save stay where we were, and right glad 
was I of the opportunity to rest. 

We wandered about the fort at will, examining 
the fortifications and the preparations which were 
being made for descending the river when spring 
had come ; but the greater portion of the time 
was spent in front of the well-kept fires. 

Not until two days more had passed was the 
letter from General de St. Pierre ready, and then 
the snow had begun to fall furiously. 

To remain many days longer would be to find 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


139 


ourselves prisoners until the winter had passed, 
and while Major Washington and the guides 
were most eager to depart, all knew that it was 
in the highest degree dangerous to set out before 
the surface of the streams and swamps had frozen. 

The commandant himself aided us in departing, 
by suggesting that the serving men be sent on 
ahead with the horses, while the remainder of our 
company embark in canoes, making our way by 
water as far as Venango. 

Until this proposition had been made, the Dela- 
wares were fully determined to remain at the fort, 
so Running Deer told me ; but when Half-King 
learned that we must stop at Captain Joncaire’s 
quarters while waiting for the horses, he suddenly 
became satisfied to set out with us. 

The general did everything in his power for our 
comfort. He stocked the canoes with blankets, 
provisions, liquors, and would have added a sup- 
ply of ammunition, but that our major refused to 
accept so much. 

Steward and Jenkins were by no means pleased 
with that portion of the work mapped out for 
them, and one could not wonder at their disin- 
clination to make the journey which had so sorely 
tried the strength and endurance of us all. 

I believed that our troubles were over until 


140 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


the time came when we were to leave Venango 
hound for Williamsburg, and had no little sym- 
pathy for the serving men who were to cross the 
swamps ; but as it proved, we had the greater 
portion of the hardships, while they made the 
journey with comparative ease, although at a 
great expense of horse flesh. 

Steward and Jenkins set out four and twenty 
hours in advance of our departure, and when we 
were finally on board the canoes, with the Dela- 
wares at the paddles. General de St. Pierre gave 
us a most hearty send-off, with all manner of 
good wishes for our safe arrival at Williamsburg. 

There was in my mind the belief, when we 
pushed away from the bank, that it was not 
probable we would be called upon to make more 
than one camp, for I counted on our arriving 
at Venango within eight and forty hours at the 
longest, even though I had been told that, owing 
to the many turns of the stream, the distance was 
no less than one hundred and thirty miles. 

It was the 16th day of December ; the wind 
swept up the creek with such force that the cur- 
rent availed us but little, inasmuch as constant 
work at the paddles was required to keep our frail 
barks on the proper course. In addition to this, 
the snow sought out every fold of our garments, 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


141 


stung our faces like so many needles, and filled 
up the crevices among the cargo until our boats 
resembled small fioating drifts gliding sluggishly 
on the surface of the water. 

Because of the swirling particles of frost which 
stung one’s eyeballs, it was almost impossible to 
keep a proper look-out, as we learned before the 
first day’s journey was more than half spent. 

Master Gist was steering our canoe, and being 
forced to cover his eyes for an instant, the canoe 
was run up on a shoal with such force that all at- 
tempts to work her off by means of the paddles 
were unavailing. 

There was nothing for it but to go overboard 
into the icy waters and lift the craft across the 
shallow, a task which fell to Master McQuire, 
Eunning Deer and myself. W e were in the water 
well on to half an hour, and, as might have been 
expected, our leggins and hunting-shirts were 
frozen stiff within five minutes after we resumed 
our stations in the canoe. 

The only relief which we could get was to work 
at the paddles with all our energies, and thus put 
into circulation the chilled blood ; but it can well 
be fancied that even after this had been done, we 
were not quite as comfortable as when lounging 
at the fort in front of a glowing fire. 


142 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

On that first night it was our misfortune to be 
overtaken by darkness before having found a 
suitable camping-place, and the consequence was 
that we who had been in the water were obliged 
to walk to and fro until daylight, or stand the 
chances of freezing to death. 

This misfortune was brought about by our com- 
ing upon a bend in the river where the floating 
ice had lodged and frozen solidly together. There 
was nothing for it but to go ashore and carry the 
canoes across the land a distance of half a mile 
or more, and General de St. Pierre had outfitted 
us so liberally that fully two hours were spent in 
the task. Then it was so dark that we could do 
no more than halt where we were, and hunt for 
wood with which to build a fire. 

We could find no fuel save that which was wet, 
and our camp-fire was hardly large enough to cast 
a reflection upon the snow where we must make 
our beds. The canoes were turned bottom up, and 
under these the greater number of the company 
huddled ; but Major Washington, seeing that 
some of us must remain without a shelter, in- 
sisted on keeping the vigil with Eunning Deer 
and me, never once trying to gain repose. 

We began the second day’s journey half frozen, 
wet and dispirited, and twice before night came 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


143 


were we obliged to wade in the icy current, carry- 
ing the canoes over shoals or around masses of 
ice. 

To write an account of that terrible journey 
would simply be to repeat again and again that 
here we were forced to take to the land, and there 
to the water, until a record had been made of 
seven long, weary days full of suffering and what 
was very like despair. 

Not until the afternoon of the 22d of December 
did we arrive within sight of Venango, and then, 
despite all the anxiety which had been ours when 
we were there before, we welcomed our return 
with shouts of joy. 

Steward and Jenkins were standing on the bank 
of the stream when we landed, having performed 
the journey in less than three days, and in fairly 
good condition, save that, so they reported, the 
horses were crippled and leg-weary until it was 
a question whether they would be of further 
service. 

Captain Joncaire came to the landing before all 
the company were ashore, and his greetings were 
as warm as if we were his best friends. 

Even amid my discomfort, and with the desire 
strong upon me to stand once more in front of a 
fire, I observed that Jeskakake slyly gave him a 


14:1 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

bit of paper, which one might naturally believe 
had been sent by General de St. Pierre. 

My heart sank within me on seeing this, for I 
said to myself that the message contained our 
doom. If the French commandant was as well 
disposed toward us as he had appeared, then all 
would be well ; but if the captain had previousl}^ 
acted under his directions, now was come the time 
when we must fight our way out of Venango, 
or remain there while the grass grew over our 
graves. 

However, for the time being I did not give 
overly much heed to what was of such importance 
to us ; warmth and shelter were needed, and I 
dare venture to say that from the commander 
down to the last one of us, all had that in mind 
above, everything else. 

We were assigned to the same quarters as on 
our first visit ; the white men of the company in 
a cabin near Captain Joncaire’s house, and the 
Indians at the other end of the village where the 
Tigh twees had their tepees. 

Not until we had thawed ourselves out in front 
of a glorious fire, and eaten a hearty meal, did we 
hold much converse one with another ; but when 
it was as if we had come to life once more, and 
the sufferings of the journey were no more than 


AT HEADQUARTERS. 


145 


a memory, Master Gist called me aside as he 
asked in a low tone that might he overheard by 
our companions : 

‘‘ Did you see Jeskakake greet the captain ? ” 

‘‘ I saw him hand the officer what I believed to 
be a letter.” 

‘‘Ay, lad, that is what I noted. Those who 
seemed to be our very good friends have sent in- 
structions as to what shall be done with us, and 
I’m counting on your learning somewhat regard- 
ing it.” 

“Meaning that I am to go to the Indian 
quarters ? ” I asked disconsolately, for the idea of 
venturing forth into the snow and wind before I 
had more than got the blood circulating in my 
veins, was far from being agreeable. 

“Exactly that. I am not inclined to croak 
continually of trouble to our major, and we will 
get a good idea of the situation before saying 
anything to him.” 

“Shall I go now ?” I asked, not in the best of 
humor, and he replied cheerily : 

“ Take your own time about it, lad, but make 
certain that we learn to-night what may be ex- 
pected.” 

I was about to set off at once, determined to 
have done with a disagreeable task as quickly as 

lO 


WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

possible, when the door opened, and to my surprise 
Eunning Deer entered. 

There was a question in my eyes as I looked at 
him, and he answered in his own language : 

‘‘Half -King had said I could go with him to 
Captain Joncaire’s house ; but when we came to 
the door a soldier held the muzzle of his gun in 
my face until I turned away.” 

“Why does Half-King go to the French cap- 
tain?” I asked in surprise. “Is it to complain 
of his quarters ? ” 

“ The officer sent for him to come secretly ; but 
the chief believed I might be allowed inside to 
help him speak the white men’s words.” 

There was no need now for me to go to the 
Indian’s quarters ; if Half-King had been sum- 
moned for a private interview, some mischief 
against us was afoot. 


CHAPTEE VIL 


VENANGO. 

And now, lest I be accused of laying too great 
stress upon what we had good reason to fear 
would be the position of affairs now we were re- 
turned to Venango, let me set down here some- 
thing concerning the horses which had brought us 
thus far over the roughest and hardest trail it 
was ever my misfortune to follow. 

Because the grass was covered with snow, they 
had suffered from lack of food almost from the day 
we began the journey. It had been possible to 
get from the traders and Indians a small quantity 
of corn now and then ; but not sufficient to pro- 
vide them with suitable food for one meal in each 
day. Their provender had been the dried leaves 
of the trees, or such herbage as could be found in 
the swamps where the snow was not piled so high 
as on the plains, and, because they had been forced 
to work excessively, the poor brutes were now 
little better than skeletons. 

Steward and Jenkins declared that the animals 
could not proceed any further until after having 
147 


148 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

a long time for rest, and proper food ; that there 
was not one who could carry a man from sunrise 
to sunset at present, and, indeed, the wonder was 
that the sorry-looking steeds had been able to drag 
their bones through the swamps from Fort Le 
Boeuf to Venango. 

Therefore I understood that if we left Venango 
within any reasonable time, it would be on foot, 
and there was a grave question in my mind as to 
whether it would be possible to gain Logstown 
by such method of traveling. 

Bearing these facts in mind, one can well fancy 
that we were not in condition to struggle long 
against Captain Joncaire, if that worthy gentle- 
man took it into his treacherous head, as now 
seehaed probable, to detain us in order to gain 
over to his side the Delaware sachems in our 
company. 

Major Washington was pacing to and fro in 
deep thought at one end of the building when 
Eunning Deer came in, and after the Delaware 
had spoken, I was called upon to repeat in Eng- 
lish that which he had told me in his own lan- 
guage. 

The major made no comment when I had 
done so ; but, turning to the Dutchman, he said 
rather more curtly than usual : 


VENANGO. 


149 


^^You will accompany me on a visit to Cap- 
tain Joncaire, Master Van Braam.” 

He went toward the door as he spoke, much 
as though time was precious, and Masters Gist 
and McQuire looked at him anxiously, for it 
seemed like tempting fate to venture into 
headquarters at this time, since the French 
captain would realize, unless he was a stupid, 
that his scheme had been exposed, and might 
decide to settle matters off-hand after his own 
fashion. 

However, there was no one to say nay to the 
commander of our company, and he went out of 
doors followed by a very disconsolate-looking 
Dutchman. 

Kunning Deer made himself comfortable before 
the fire, now that his enemy had gone, and, under ^ 
Master Gist’s instructions, I plied him with ques- 
tions ; but he either could not or would not give 
us any information of particular value, profess- 
ing that he knew nothing of what might be in 
Half-King’s mind. 

I was in a position to know much concerning 
the interview with Captain Joncaire, and heard 
the Dutchman tell Master McQuire what had been 
said at the beginning, before I was summoned, all 
of which went far toward lightening the burden 


150 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


of trouble which hung heavily upon every mem- 
ber of our company, 

As a matter of course Half-King was found 
closeted with the Frenchman, for Major Wash- 
ington did not wait to be announced ; but insisted 
on passing the sentinels without ceremony, and 
came upon the two as they were drinking from 
the same bottle of rum. 

Captain Joncaire put the best face possible on 
the situation, and boldly announced that it was 
his purpose to win over the Delawares to the 
French interests if it could be brought about, and 
our commander reminded him with no little stern- 
ness that it was not a friendly act to make an 
effort at depriving us of our guides. 

To this the officer made no reply, and the major 
sent at once for me in order that he might ques- 
tion the Delaware. 

Eunning Deer was disgruntled at learning that 
I was summoned, when he had been forbidden to 
enter the captain’s quarters, and I left him sulk- 
ing as only an Indian can sulk. 

Immediately I entered the room the conversa- 
tion was begun by our major’s asking the Dela- 
ware if it was his purpose to leave his good friends, 
the colonists of Virginia, in order to take sides 
Tvith the strangers, who were enemies to both 



Major Washington did not wait to be announced; but passing 
the sentinels came upon Half-King and the Frenchman drink- 
ing from the same bottle of rum. Page 150. 

When Washington Served the King 



VENANGO. 


151 


English and Delawares, the proof of which last 
could he found in the presence at Venango of the 
Tightwees ? 

As a matter of course, Captain Joncaire could 
follow the conversation when I interpreted for the 
benefit of our major, and he joined in by insist- 
ing that I tell Half-King it was the desire of the 
French to live in amity and peace with all red 
men. 

Major Washington signified that I should act 
as interpreter for both, and then ensued a three- 
sided conversation, during the first portion of 
which the Delaware sachem did a great deal more 
listening than talking. 

Then the two commanders had exhausted their 
arguments, and the time had come when the Del- 
aware must declare for the one party or the other. 

I fully expected to hear him take sides with the 
French, for Captain Joncaire held out most glow- 
ing promises ; but to my surprise and delight he 
remained true to the English of Virginia. 

He fumbled under his blanket a moment, and 
then drew out the wampum which represented 
the French speech-belt, tendering it to the cap- 
tain. There was no need of words. 

This act was, in the Indian language, a token 
that all alliance was broken by those who had 


152 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

passed the belt between them, and Captain Jon- 
caire’s face was not pleasant to look upon when 
he understood that all his fine words had gone for 
nothing. 

He refused to receive the belt, saying that it 
was his wish to live in friendship with the Dela- 
wares, and to trade with them. He was counting 
on sending presents of great value to Logstown 
as soon as his messengers could make ready for 
the journey, and he insisted that Half-King should 
keep the belt until after that had been done. 

To this the Indian agreed ; but Captain Jon- 
caire could not make him promise to do more, and, 
finally, gave over trying to wring a promise from 
him. 

It goes without saying that the interview with 
Half-King had come to an end, and the sachem 
so understood it, for he walked gravely out of 
the hut, looking neither to the right nor the 
left. 

Of course I could have taken my departure at 
this time, since there was no further opportunity 
for me to act as interpreter ; but the major did 
not give the word, and I was only too glad to 
hear the end of the matter, for I naturally ex- 
pected there would be some sharp words between 
the two officers. 


VENANGO. 


153 


And in this I had made no mistake. Our 
major was not afraid to speak his mind at all 
times, and he now plainly told the French captain 
that he had not acted in a gentlemanly manner 
by thus trying to entice away our guides. 

Captain Joncaire took fire at this reproach, 
and for a time I believed that more than words 
would result ; but Major Washington finally said 
he would take his departure next morning, and 
the Frenchman smiled as he bowed in assent, for 
I fancy he was asking himself how it would 
be possible for us to go under all the circum- 
stances. 

Then the Dutchman and I were dismissed by a 
wave of our commander’s hand, he following us 
without saying more to his host, and, in fact, he 
had spoken his mind so freely that there was 
really no need for further words. 

It can well be fancied that our company was 
thrown into a flurry when the major announced 
that we would resume our journey on the follow- 
ing morning. 

By this time the storm which we had endured 
since the day of leaving Fort Le Boeuf, had 
taken on yet more fury ; the wind held from 
the northeast, and the rain was freezing as it 
fell. The frontiersmen were agreed that there 


154: WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


was no hope for fair weather next morning, and 
repeated this prediction much as if urging it in 
opposition to the command just given. 

‘‘We will set out shortly after daybreak, 
gentlemen,’’ Major Washington replied, speaking 
so firmly that the boldest among us did not dare 
make further objections. We have obeyed the 
governor’s commands to the extent of deliver- 
ing our message to General de St. Pierre and 
receiving his written reply. It would be crim- 
inal to delay now in the midst of enemies, and 
when a heavy snow-storm would block us in here 
perhaps for many weeks.” 

“But the horses. Major Washington ?” Stew- 
ard managed to say after some hesitation. 

“ They shall carry no more than the baggage 
and provisions. By using all the animals for 
that purpose, it is possible we may get them 
through.” 

“ Is the entire company to walk ?” the Dutch- 
man asked in a piteous tone. 

“We will throw away the saddles lest some of 
us be tempted to mount,” the major said sharply, 
and then, turning to me, he directed that I go 
to the Indians’ quarters and make known to them 
the time for departure. 

Kunning Deer had remained in the building 


VENANGO. 


165 


awaiting my departure, and when I went out in 
obedience to the command, he followed, saying 
when we were outside : 

‘‘ The sachems will not go away in the storm.’’ 

‘^Half-King declared to the French captain 
that he should remain friendly to the colonists of 
Virginia, and would have given back the speech 
belt hut that Joncaire refused to take it,” I re- 
plied with a smile of triumph. 

The Delaware looked somewhat surprised by 
this information ; but after a moment’s thought 
added : 

Jeskakake has yet to speak. Half -King is a 
big chief, but he cannot put words in the mouths 
of the other sachems. ” 

I gave little heed to this remark, believing that 
Running Deer was speaking in accordance with 
his own inclinations, therefore when we were 
come to the ' building where the Tightwees were 
once more giving strong drink to the Delawares, 
I repeated my message without a doubt as to how 
it would be received. 

Even Half-King appeared disturbed because of 
the early hour set for departure, and White 
Thunder asked angrily : 

“ Does the Englishman believe we are dogs to 
take to the trail when it cannot be followed ? ” 


156 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

I have only repeated that which our leader 
put in my mouth,” was all the reply I could make, 
and then it was that Jeskakake made good Kun- 
ning Deer’s prediction. 

‘‘ Tell the governor’s messenger that the Dela- 
wares will stay here until the trail is clear.” 

‘‘We will stay,” White Thunder added de- 
cidedly, and I looked to see Half-King give his 
opinion ; but he remained silent. 

It was evident that he did not feel sufficiently 
strong in authority to declare against his com- 
panions, and after waiting a few moments to 
give him an opportunity of speaking, I went out 
of the building, saying to myself that we were 
like to remain in Venango yet many days longer. 

Major Washington was a young man, hardly 
more than a lad, but he knew his mind, and the 
words of the Delawares made little impression 
upon him. 

“We shall set out soon after sunrise,” he said 
when I had delivered the message from the 
sachems, and the remainder of our company stared 
at each other in dismay. 

“Will you leave the Delawares behind?” 
Master Gist plucked up courage to ask, and the 
major soon gave him to understand that he was 
not minded to let a few Indians ruin his chances 


VENANGO. 157 

of performing, in due season, the mission with 
which he had been intrusted. 

We were a sorry company as we sat in the log 
hut before a glowing fire listening to the howling 
of the wind and realizing that in a few hours we 
would be exposed to the full fury of the blast, 
with no hope of finding a comfortable shelter 
until after arriving at Logstown, or the Frazier 
settlement. 

I ventured to say thht Masters Gist, McQuire 
and Currin were as brave men as ever followed 
a trail, and yet they looked with fear upon the 
early departure, if it was possible to read their 
thoughts by their faces. 

There was no attempt to converse one with 
another. The entire party remained silent, star- 
ing at the cheerydooking blaze until each in turn 
laid down on the floor, wrapped in his blanket 
for the last night’s rest we might enjoy in many 
a long week. 

When morning came it was the major who 
aroused us, and we set about making ready for 
the trail in anything rather than an enviable 
frame of mind. 

Steward and Jenkins brought up the sorry-look- 
ing horses, who had been without shelter during 
the night, and even the major himself aided in 


158 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

the work of packing our belongings on their 
hacks. 

The order was given that everything not abso- 
lutely necessary was to be left behind, in order to 
lighten the loads, and Major Washington set the 
example by casting aside his uniform, and putting 
on a hunting shirt and leggings which were among 
our goods to be used as presents for the Indians. 

There is no good reason why I should use many 
words in describing how we went forth into the 
half-frozen rain that morning. 

The horses literally staggered under their packs 
after we had reduced the burdens to the smallest 
possible compass ; but our major affected not to 
see this. 

When all was ready he, with Master Gist and 
myself, marched in advance, the Dutchman fol- 
lowing sulkily a short distance in the rear, and 
immediately behind him. Masters McQuire and 
Currin. The serving men brought up the rear 
with the string of horses, not one of which looked 
as if he could keep his feet until nightfall, and it 
was evident we would soon lose sight of them en- 
tirel}^ unless the pace was set very slow. 

Until the last moment I hoped that the Dela- 
wares would reconsider their determination and 
join us. It seemed certain that Half-King and 


VENANGO. 


159 


Running Deer would do so ; but yet no sign of life 
was to be seen as we passed their quarters. Even 
Captain J oncaire forgot his manners and remained 
hidden from view as we left Venango behind us, 
looking what we really were, the sorriest company 
that ever plunged into the wilderness. 

The rain fell constantly during this first day’s 
journey, and when night came Master Gist whis- 
pered to me that, according to his belief, we were 
no more than eight miles from the settlement. 

We set up such a shelter from the wind and 
rain as was possible, and fully an hour later the 
serving men came in with the horses. One had 
fallen exhausted and been left behind, while the 
others could hardly more than keep their feet. 

The sorriest man in all that mournful company 
was the Dutchman, and although every one of us 
was in sore trouble, his was worse than ours be- 
cause he could not, or would not, make the best 
of the wretched surroundings. 

Of a verity there was no need for us to look 
ahead for misery, since we had before our e^^es all 
that the most dismally inclined could desire, and 
yet that foolish interpreter of French was ever 
reaching out into the future, croaking as to what 
additional suffering the morrow would bring us. 

We dozed off at times during the night ; but no 


IGO WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


one could really lose himself in slumber, however 
great his weariness, and when the second day 
dawned the storm was raging as fiercely as ever. 

It should he set down here as something ever to 
he remembered, that during all that dark, dread- 
ful time our major never seemed to lose courage 
or cheerfulness. His eye was quick to note when 
this man or that fiagged in the well-nigh hope- 
less task, and he never missed an opportunity to 
speak words of cheer. He took upon himself more 
than a full share of the labor, and ever stepped 
foremost when some extremely dilBficult labor or 
perilous feat was required. 

But for Major Washington our company must 
have turned back while Venango was close behind, 
and, having done so, would have gone to Fort Le 
Boeuf as prisoners before the snows of winter had 
melted sufficiently to admit of our following the 
trail toward the Virginia colony. 

Three long, weary, mournful days passed, and 
then, according to Master Gist’s reckoning, we 
were no more than twenty-five miles distant from 
Venango. 

The rain had turned to snow, damp and cling- 
ing, which formed in great balls on one’s feet, 
thus rendering marching while we were forced to 
carry our weapons, most painful and slow. 


VENANGO. 


161 


On the night of the third day we had halted 
where an overhanging rock gave an appearance, 
hut not the reality, of a shelter, and were trying 
in vain to start the semblance of a fire when the 
men came up with the horses. 

It was as if the beasts had held out in order to 
gain the poor apology for a camp, for as they were 
unloaded each dropped in his tracks until not one 
was left standing. They made no attempt to get 
food from the snow-laden bushes ; it was as if it 
had become impossible to draw another breath. 

There was no need for any one to say that the 
horses had come to the end of their journey until 
food could be provided for them. The fact was 
only too plain to all, and each of us turned his 
head as if by so doing he might cheat himself a 
little longer with the belief that the situation was 
not so desperate as it appeared, 

Major Washington was the only member of the 
company who did not see death staring him in the 
face ; he made as if only the expected had hap- 
pened, and the remedy already provided. 

By husbanding the strength of the brutes a 
few days they will be able to advance,” he said in 
a quiet tone. 

“ How can one do that while they are starving 

to death ? ” Steward asked irritably, 
n 


162 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

‘‘By building a shelter here, and holding over 
a week or more. You should be able to find for- 
age hidden under the snow, and it will be a mat- 
ter of only a few days before they can go on.” 

The rest of us looked up in surprise, and Master 
Gist said as if speaking to himself : 

“ Then it is to be a halt, eh ? ” 

“ For the drivers, yes,” the major said quietly. 
“ The others can go on.” 

“ How ? ” the Dutchman asked angrily. “ There 
is not one here who can walk a single mile fur- 
ther.” 

“Now you are speaking for yourself. Master 
Van Braam, and not in behalf of these brave fel- 
lows who have endured suffering and privation so 
gallantly. Very well, you shall be left to come 
on with the horses. If Master Gist and John 
Davidson will follow me, the others may do as 
they will.” 

There was nothing in such a proposition to ex- 
cite enthusiasm, for one knew full well how much 
of danger lay in the path, yet I sprang to my feet 
quickly in order that the commander might see I 
was willing to follow him to the death, and Mas- 
ter Gist laid his hand on my shoulder. 

“Very well,” the major said with a smile, and 
one could see that it pleased him because we were 


VENANGO. 


163 


so willing to endure the suffering which must 
come to those who pushed on without baggage. 

We will take no more than enough to keep us 
alive, and the remainder of the stores shall be left 
behind. Eem ember, you who are to stay, that 
your lives depend upon getting the horses into 
condition as quickly as may be, and let their care 
be your one duty.” 

I looked to see Masters McQuire andCurrin de- 
clare that they would press forward with us ; but 
neither spoke, and one might guess they believed 
we courted our death, when no real good could 
come of thus dying. 

The serving men, relieved from the fear of im- 
mediately continuing the march, spent nearly all 
that night building a shelter for the exhausted 
horses ; but we who were to press forward over a 
trail in which was to be met danger in every form, 
did our best at getting such repose as was possible 
when one’s bed was the snow and his garments 
literally frozen to his limbs. 

There was little conversation indulged in next 
morning ; no one attempted to dissuade the major 
from his purpose, and we moved about silently, as 
people do when death is near at hand. 

Each of us who were to continue on the trail 
had made a knapsack of his blanket, and in this 


164 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


we packed a small store of food and a limited 
supply of ammunition. 

We were equipped exactly alike, with an abso- 
lutely equal division of burden, except that in ad- 
dition the major carried the papers he had brought 
away from Fort Le Boeuf. There was not among 
us one ounce of unnecessary weight. 

The commander led the way, simply waving his 
hand in adieu to those who were left behind, and 
almost before I was aware that our lonely journey 
had begun, the small company in the camp of 
brush was lost to view behind the curtain of fall- 
ing snow. 

Master Gist was of the belief that we were 
within two days’ march of Murdering Town, on 
the southeast fork of Beaver Creek, and since 
there it might be possible to add to our scanty 
store of provisions, we bent our steps in that di- 
rection, regardless of the fact that such a course 
was taking us several miles out of the path we 
should pursue in order to arrive, by the most direct 
road, at the Frazier settlement. 

The major led the way, I followed him, and 
Master Gist brought up the rear. 

We marched in single file that one might tread 
in the other’s footsteps, and thus two would be 
spared the labor of breaking the road. By such 


VENANGO. 


165 


order of traveling our commander had the hardest 
portion of the work ; but it could not he other- 
wise, for he most positively refused to allow either 
of us to take his place. 

During that first mournful day we traveled 
steadily hut slowly, talking little lest we waste 
breath that would be needed later, and halting not 
until near to sunset, when we were come to an 
upturned tree, beneath the roots of which we 
found a sorry shelter. 

We divided our food into rations for four days, 
lest we should not be able to come upon Murder- 
ing Town as had been expected, and the portion 
allotted for supper was so small that it hardly 
more than served to show me how hungry I 
was. 

We crouched under the roots of the tree hoping 
to fall asleep and thus forget for the time being 
our forlorn condition. There was no thought of 
standing guard there where neither white man 
nor Indian would come unless forced to the task 
as we had been. 

The snow turned once more to rain, and before 
daylight we were nearly drowned out. 

It was not yet sunrise when, having eaten the 
scanty rations, we set off, and I can say as to my- 
self that I walked like one in a dream^ hardly 


100 WHEN WASHINGTON SEEVED THE KING. 

conscious of what I did until suddenly we were 
overtaken by an Indian of the Tight wee tribe, 
whom I could have sworn to having seen in 
Venango. 

The fellow appeared exceeding glad to see us, 
and in the Delaware language asked me when we 
left Captain Joncaire ; also, why we were thus 
traveling through the snow when it would be 
easier to rest in the villages of the white men 
until winter had gone. 

It puzzled me that he should have overtaken us, 
for one of his tribe would not be on the trail alone 
in the country of the Delawares, and, in addition 
to this, he was far too well pleased at having met 
with us. 

The major must have thought he had seen the 
fellow before, for he bade me ask him why he had 
left Venango. 

I did as was commanded, and the Indian 
flatly told me he had not been at Venango ; that I 
never saw him there. In fact, he was so eager to 
convince me he spoke the truth that I grew more 
suspicious than ever, and gave English words to 
my thoughts. 

Master Gist was disposed to make light of my 
fears ; but the major said in the tone of one who 
is in doubt : 


VENANGO. 167 

‘‘Keep a sharp watch over him, and it will be 
our fault if he does us any harm.’’ 

As a matter of course the Indian understood 
that we were talking about him, and gazed at us 
keenly without discovering anything, so I flattered 
myself. 

Then he asked plumply why we had left the 
horses behind, and when we expected them to 
come on, which was enough to prove that he had 
really seen us at the French outpost. 

But for the fact of bringing Master Gist’s mirth 
down upon my head, I would have insisted that 
we take some stejDS toward ridding ourselves of 
the Indian ; I held my peace, however, and the 
newcomer, in order to prove that he could be of 
assistance, insisted on taking the major’s pack 
upon his own back. 

“ I will lead you to Murdering Town,” he said to 
me, understanding that I would repeat the words 
in English. 

“Are you going there?” I asked, watching 
him intently. 

“ My people are waiting for me at the village,” 
he replied, gazing at me in turn, and then it was 
I proved him a liar. 

“How long have the Tightwees dwelt in a 
Delaware village, except as prisoners ? ” I asked, 


1C8 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

and he turned away his head as he muttered 
sulkily : 

My people are there.” 

Thus it was I knew him to be other than what 
he would have us believe, and I promised myself 
he should not play any trick, for 1 could keep my 
eyes open as wide as any Tightwee who ever 
took French gold in payment for spilling English 
blood. 

He led the way briskly, carrying the major’s 
burden ; but when an hour had passed it appeared 
to me as if we were bearing too much to the north- 
east, and I mentioned the matter to Master Gist. 

‘‘It may be,” he replied wearily. “But it 
wouldn’t be surprising if, after all we’ve been 
through with, we had made a mistake. Most 
likely the Indian knows better than either you 
or I.” 

Until two hours past noon we kept on still bear- 
ing toward the northeast, and then the major was 
so nearly worn out that he proposed we encamp 
for the night in a thicket of pine bushes where we 
might find shelter against the wind, while at the 
same time we would be able to provide ourselves 
with fuel. 

At this proposition the Indian grew very much 
excited ; he had the brazenness to tell us that his 


VENANGO. 


169 


cabin was no more than two miles away, and by 
keeping on a short time longer we would find a 
place where we might rest in comfort. 

When I taxed him with having pretended to be 
on his way to Murdering Town to meet his people, 
and asked what he meant by saying his cabin was 
near at hand, the fellow insisted that both stories 
were true, as we would shortly see. 

I will carry your captain’s gun,” he said, 
making as if to take the weapon ; but Major 
Washington not only kept a firm hold upon it, 
but insisted on taking back his pack, much to my 
satisfaction. 

Then the Indian told me we must hurry, be- 
cause there were Ottawas near about searching 
for scalps, and he even pretended to hear their war- 
whoops. 

All the while he kept bearing more and more 
to the north and east, until I came to a full stop, 
saying decidedly to Master Gist as I did so : 

‘‘We are but bending back toward Venango. 
I know full well he has been leading us from the 
course, and who shall say it is not into an ambush 
that we are going ? This fellow is one of Cap- 
tain Joncaire’s men, and we are foolish to let him 
twist us around his finger.” 

While I was speaking the Tight wee continued 


170 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


slowly on, as if to give us an opportunity of 
speaking privately. I was about to appeal to 
the major when the report of a musket rang out, 
dull and muffled because of the falling snow, 
and a bullet whistled within a few inches of my 
face. 

Instinctively I sprang behind the nearest tree, 
and as I did so saw a tiny wreath of smoke curl- 
ing up from a thicket a dozen paces distant. 

There was no longer any need for me to waste 
many words trying to convince Master Gist that 
the Indian was there to do us harm. 

In an instant we were screened from view, each 
on the alert for a glimpse of the"enemy, and then 
the major said sharply : 

‘^It is not manly to set ourselves three against 
one. Let the Indian run away if he will ; but 
we must not kill him, for it would only serve to 
provoke the Tightwees yet further against the 
colonists.’’ 

If we spare him, one of us will fall,” I replied 
almost curtly, so irritated was I at the major’s 
refusing to kill an Indian simply because we were 
three against one. ‘^It is reasonable to believe 
there are others of his tribe near at hand who 
have come on Captain Joncaire’s work of murder- 
ing us 1 ” 


VENANGO. 


171 


Then a second bullet came our way, cutting off 
a bit of fringe from Master Gist’s hunting- shirt, 
and there could no longer be any question but 
that we must shoot to kill if we would save our 
own lives. 


CHAPTER VIIL 


TURNING BACK. 

The second bullet caused me more alarm than 
had the first, and for the very good reason that 
it had come from a direction opposite where I 
knew was secreted the Indian who opened the 
battle. Therefore was it positive that we had 
more than one enemy with which to contend. 

I had no more than discovered this disagree- 
able fact, when I saw, a short distance away to 
the right, skulking among the bushes, an Indian 
with whom I had spoken at Venango, and it was 
now plain that Captain Joncaire had sent his 
tools for the purpose of killing the major, if 
nothing more, although why his death should be 
especially desired by the French was more than I 
could figure out. 

It was enough for me that we were probably 
surrounded by enemies who were thirsting for 
our blood, and I mentally raged at that nice sense 
of honor in our commander which prevented him 
172 


TORNING BACK. 173 

from killing a foe when he was within fair 
range. 

Careful and steady ! ” Master Gist said to me 
in a low tone as if thinking I needed courage, 
and the words irritated me to such an extent 
that I replied angrily ; 

That caution was needed when the Tightwee 
first came up. A little care and steadiness then, 
and our enemies would number less by one at this 
moment.” 

WeVe trouble enough ahead without looking 
back for cause of complaint,” the frontiersman 
replied, and straightway my cheeks burned with 
shame because I had permitted myself to be so 
childish. 

At that instant the major discharged his wea- 
pon after taking good aim, and a wild cry told 
that he had not wasted his bullet. 

This opening of the battle served to bring me 
yet more fully to my senses, and at once I ceased 
to think of anything save the fact that in order 
to save my own life I must kill others. 

We were on a stretch of low land thickly cov- 
ered with stunted pines and bushes, and if the 
Indian had led us off the course, as I believed, it 
was impossible to say where the trail might be 
found ; but from the surroundings I believed we 


174 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

were near a water-way, therefore, while keeping 
a sharp watch for a skulking form, I whispered 
to Master Gist : 

‘‘ It seems to me wise that we work forward 
while trying to hold them in check. There must 
be a stream or a river near by, and if that could 
be gained it would not be possible for Captain 
Joncaire’s friends to entirely surround us.” 

The idea is a good one,” the frontiersman re- 
plied, and an instant later I heard him whisper- 
ing the suggestion to Major Washington. 

Fortunately our commander was a man ever 
ready to listen to the advice of others, although 
when his mind was once made up I question if it 
might have been changed easily. In this case he 
approved of the proposition, and Master Gist 
passed back the word to me : 

We’ll work slowly toward yonder tall pine, 
and from there select another landmark. Do not 
be in a hurry, and make certain the bushes in 
your front do not conceal an enemy.” 

He might trust me for that, and not make a 
mistake. I had been too often in the forest de- 
pending upon my skill at shooting to save my 
life, not to understand so much as was contained 
in his caution. 

The major raised his cap on a stick to draw 


TURNING BACK. 


175 


the fire of our enemies that we might know 
where they were, and half a dozen reports from 
the right and the left told that the savages from 
Venango had not yet surrounded us. 

Now ! Kun twenty yards, and take to shelter 
again ! ” the major cried sharply, and it seemed 
a good time in which to execute such a maneu- 
ver, because it was reasonable to suppose the 
guns of the Indians had been emptied. 

We obeyed the order, and succeeded in cover- 
ing the distance proposed, despite the depth of 
snow, without coming to harm ; but no sooner 
had we gained cover than a volley of bullets 
whistled harmlessly over our heads. 

Once more ! ” the major cried, leading the 
way, and a second time did we make a rush, 
thanks to the stupidity of our foes. 

They won’t give us another chance,” Master 
Gist said grimly as we crouched amid the bushes 
watching for a target. Now we know exactly 
where the Tightwees are, and if there is water 
near at hand we should be able to reach it.” 

While he was speaking I saw a tuft of feath- 
ers moving swiftly from one bush to another, 
and, firing almost at random, I had the satis- 
faction of seeing a painted form sprawl forward 
with outstretched arms, thus showing that this 


176 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

particular Indian would never again take to the 
war-path at the bidding of a perfidious French- 
man. 

It was a rare piece of good luck for us that 
the others of the hand, enraged by the killing of 
their comrade, fired a volley in the direction from 
which had come my shot, and once more the 
major ordered us to rush forward. 

When we had gained a third place of shelter, 
it was possible to see in the distance a dark line 
of water or ice, and my heart grew lighter, for 
once we were on the bank of the stream our 
chances for life had been increased tenfold. 

There is no good reason why I should try to 
picture in words that running fight, for it did 
not differ in any way from such as almost every 
man in the Virginia colony had witnessed more 
than once. 

At one time while the battle was on did our 
major receive a bullet through the cap, and the 
sleeve of my hunting-shirt gave token of the 
Tightwees’ skill in shooting ; but no white blood 
had been shed when two hours were passed, and 
we knew that not less than three of the Indians 
were out of the fight, either killed or disabled. 

From all we had been able to learn of the 
enemy, a full half of them were in no condition 


TURNING BACK. 


m 


to make us trouble, and now we were about equal 
in numbers. In addition to this success, we were 
on the bank of a river which Master Gist declared 
was the Alleghany, with Shannopins a few miles 
below us. 

If we could hold the Indians off until daylight, 
we might be able to cross, after which there would 
be little to fear from those whom Captain Jon- 
caire had sent in pursuit of us with his compli- 
ments in the shape of bullets. 

Unfortunately the water was frozen only a few 
yards from each bank, and in the middle, where 
the current ran swiftly, were great masses of bro- 
ken ice which would speedily have ground a canoe 
or batteau to splinters. 

Except that our straits were so desperate, we 
might have despaired of being able to gain the 
other side ; but when men are battling for life or- 
dinary obstacles do not show up as being very for- 
midable — it is the danger of death from behind 
which spurs one on to deeds that at another time 
would seem impossible. 

While Major Washington and I guarded our 
front. Master Gist made his way up and down the 
shore to learn whether we might venture a cross- 
ing by swimming, and, failing in this, to select a 

spot where we could best build a raft. 

12 


178 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

The Tightwees had seen about as much of us as 
was necessary to their happiness. Three of our 
bullets had gone home, and those who were left 
uninjured took precious good care to keep out of 
sight. 

If we could bring down one more, the other 
two would make haste to gain the shelter of Venan- 
go,’’ I said to our major as we crouched side by 
side with guns in hand on the alert for the first 
movement which would tell of a foe, and he re- 
plied with a quiet smile : 

“Let us hope that the three who face us will 
conclude that discretion is the better part of valor, 
and go quietly away. I do not like to shed blood', 
even in self-defense, and particularly when those 
whom we would kill are but the tools of a white 
man. ' 

The only fault I have ever had to find with the 
gentleman from Virginia who is now struggling so 
gallantly for the good of the colonies, has been his 
reluctance to knock over an Indian when the op- 
portunity occurred. Perhaps if he had been slave 
to them for many years, as was my sad lot, he 
would look at the killing of a few in a different 
light. 

Whether they were tools or not, I burned to 
teach them a yet more severe lesson, and to this 


TURNING BACK. 179 

end crept cautiously out from among the bushes 
in the hope of surprising one. 

It came very near being a surprise for me in- 
stead of him, for one of the three survivors had 
evidently taken the same idea into his head as 
held possession of mine, and we advanced directly 
toward each other, both believing he only had 
conceived such a plan. 

The first intimation I had that a Tight wee was 
so near, came when I literally ran headforemost 
into him, and I fancy that until this instant he 
had not suspected I was so near. 

His gun fell from his hands as he sprang to 
his feet while I yet lay half stunned on the ground. 
I am inclined to believe that the blow from my 
head knocked it out of his grasp, although he may 
have been so flurried by the unexpected encounter 
as to lose his wits. At all events, he rose quickly, 
and grasped the muzzle of my weapon when I 
would have thrust it upward to Are. 

My only chance for life was to seize him, which 
I did by clasping my arms tightly around his legs, 
and, with a quick jerk, throw him to the ground. 

Neither of us spoke, because each feared to warn 
the other^s companions, and in a death grapple we 
writhed to and fro in the snow until it seemed to 
me that we had been an hour struggling for the 


180 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

mastery without either one gaining an advan- 
tage. 

My strength began to fail me ; I felt my mus- 
cles quiver, and involuntarily I closed my eyes, 
believing the time was close at hand when he 
would be able to give me a thrust with the knife 
which hung from his belt. 

Just when all hope of saving my own life had 
fled, I felt his clutch suddenly relax, and, looking 
up, I saw that our major had saved my life. 

The Tightwee had gone to the happy hunting 
grounds by way of a blow from the commander’s 
hatchet, which he had brought for the purpose of 
cutting fuel, and I struggled to my feet so nearly 
breathless that it was impossible to speak the words 
of gratitude which quivered on my lips. 

Are you hurt ? ’’ he asked solicitously, and I 
could do no more than shake my head. 

‘^Pickup your gun and get under cover,” he 
said quietly. ‘‘ I have an idea that the other two 
have taken to their heels ; but it is not well to 
expose yourself unnecessarily.” 

I did as he had commanded, and while I was re- 
gaining my almost spent breath Master Gist came 
up, ignorant, as a matter of course, regarding 
what had just occurred. 

‘‘ There can be no doubt but that we are on the 


TURNING BACK. 


181 


bank of the Alleghany, and it is out of the ques- 
tion to swim across. We must build a raft, or 
stay here.” 

It is nearly sunset ; we will wait till morning,” 
Major Washington said decisively. There is 
little to fear now from the enemy, and we can 
take the chances of making a fire if, indeed, it be 
possible to gather fuel.” 

Master Grist looked considerably mystified, and I 
took it upon myself to explain what had happened, 
after which he insisted on scouting around while 
the major and I set about putting up something 
to» shelter us from the rain which, having ceased 
for a while, was now falling steadily again. 

An hour later, when the last light of day was 
fading out of the gray sky. Master Gist came back 
with the welcome information that the Tightwees 
had decided to turn back, having left three of 
their number dead, and taken one with them who 
appeared to be seriously wounded, to judge from 
the blood which stained the snow along their line 
of march toward Venango. 

The commander and myself had thrown a lot of 
brush together which formed a passably good 
protection from the wind, and I had been so lucky 
as to find a decaying log, the middle of which was 
sufficiently dry to serve as fuel. 


182 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


On this night, when our fortunes seemed more 
desperate than at any time since we left the 
Frazier settlement, we had a camp in which we 
rested with no slight degree of comfort, and the 
next morning all hands were astir early for the 
raft building. 

When we reduced our loads to their lowest 
weight, only one hatchet had been retained, and 
now this was the only tool with which we could 
hew down trees, therefore our progress was 
remarkably slow. 

Not until nightfall did we finish the raft, 
which was no more than large enough to bear 
the three of us, and it yet remained to break a 
passage through the shore ice before we could 
launch the rude craft. 

The major decided that it would be wisest to wait 
until morning before attempting to do anything 
more, and again we crawled into the frail camp, 
so weary that slumber came early to the eyelids 
of all. We slept without a guard, and no harm 
came to us. 

The sun rose in a cloud next day ; but the rain 
had ceased to fall, and the weather seemed 
wonderfully pleasant, for it was the first morning 
since leaving Fort Le Boeuf that we had not faced 
a storm. 


TURNING BACK. 


183 


I insisted on wading into the water to cut away 
the shore ice, and when that had been done we 
clambered on to the raft, the guns slung over our 
shoulders that each might arm himself with a long 
setting-pole to be used in propelling our collection 
of timbers. 

When we gained the swift waters I despaired 
of ever being able to reach the opposite bank. 
The raft was caught by the current and whirled 
here or there despite all our efforts, and instead 
of making progress toward the other side, we 
were carried swiftly down stream. 

We labored as men will for their lives, until 
two hours or more had passed, and then we came 
to a stop by being wedged in between the floating 
ice in such a manner that unless the raft could be 
freed from the pressure we were certain of being 
swamped with but little show of coming out 
alive. 

We laid on the setting-poles with every ounce 
of strength left in our bodies, and had so far suc- 
ceeded in the effort that the rude craft was forced 
partly out from the jam, when suddenly Major 
Washington slipped on the frosty timbers, falling 
directly beneath the huge cakes of ice. 

He had saved my life, and it was my place to 
give mine for his. I dove on the instant, and 


184 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


had the good fortune to grasp his hair just as 
the current was carrying him yet further under 
the shore ice, where death must have come 
quickly. 

The raft, relieved of our weight, floated clear of 
the dangerous pack, and now was it possible for 
Master Gist to lend us a hand. In five minutes, 
perhaps less, we were both on the frail craft once 
more ; but our struggles had so weakened the 
structure that a full half of it was detached. 

We could only cling to the logs, allowing them 
to carry us wheresoever the current trended, and 
before an hour passed we were thrown like ship- 
wrecked sailors upon a small island, where were 
but few trees or bushes. 

If we had been able to hew down all the timber 
on that tiny spot of land we could not have con- 
structed another raft, and it seemed to me as if 
death, after playing with us as a cat does with a 
mouse, was about to seize upon us. 

Our first effort was to find something to serve as 
fuel ; but we succeeded in getting only small 
bushes which gave forth much smoke and but 
little heat. 

Then, as a means of shaking off the icy cold 
that came to us through our wet garments, we 
ran to and fro across the narrow strip of land, 





Master Gist gave us a hand and in a few minutes we were 
both on the frail craft once more. Page 184. 

When Washington Served the King 




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TURNING BACK. 


185 


exhausting ourselves without doing very much 
toward relieving our sufferings. 

Of that day and night I know but little after 
two hours or more had passed ; I was like one in 
the clutch of a horrible dream, and unconsciously 
did as the major commanded, but without seem- 
ing to hear him speak. 

I dare not attempt to set down the sensations 
which were mine, because the mere recital would 
be too frightful. 

Now and then I dimly realized that the major 
was making a most desperate fight against the 
elements, in behalf of all, and that Master Gist 
abandoned hope, believing we were doomed to die 
by freezing. I was conscious of keen suffering, 
but it was rather as if I knew that another, not 
myself, was sinking under it. 

When another day dawned, however, I awoke to 
a knowledge of the situation, and understood that 
we had been miraculously preserved, although 
Master Gist had both hands and feet so severely 
frozen that he could not walk unaided. 

The intense cold which had caused us so much 
pain, was really our preserver, for the river was 
frozen sufficiently to admit of our half walking, 
half sliding across it, and now it was possible, 
provided we could contrive to carry our com- 


1S6 WHEN WASHINGTOE SERVED THE KING. 

panion, to move once more toward our destina- 
tion. 

Happily I am come to an end of that journey 
which cost some of us so much in suffering and 
pain, and, as it then seemed to me, resulted only in 
open war that was to wage with unusual bitter- 
ness for many years, drenching our fair colony 
in the blood of men, women and children. 

Before this day, after our escape from the 
island, had come to a close, we were in the com- 
pany of friends, with all that could be desired for 
our comfort, and the satisfying knowledge that 
our mission had been performed in proper fashion, 
so far as concerned the wishes of Governor Din- 
widdie. 

It was a party led by Master Frazier, whom we 
stumbled across. He had come out to establish 
another trading post about twenty miles from 
the settlement which bears his name, and by the 
merest accident we had made our painful way to- 
ward it as straight as if directed by some unseen 
power. 

Already had Master Frazier put up a log hut 
surrounded by a temporary stockade, and pro- 
visioned it. He was on the point of returning to 
the settlement for goods with which to trade, 
and we might remain there in safety until hav- 


TURNING BACK, 


187 


ing entirely recovered from the fatigue, and in- 
juries consequent upon exposure, or return with 
him on the following day. 

Knowing how eager our commander was to 
arrive at Williamsburg with the shortest possible 
delay, I believed I might guess what would be 
his decision ; but I was little prepared for that 
which he counted on my doing. 

Master Frazier had much to tell which it was 
of the highest importance should be made known 
to Governor Dinwiddie without loss of time, for 
it gave positive proof that the French were bent 
on seizing the territory bordering the great rivers 
without delay. 

Bands of the Tight wee and Ottawa tribes had 
been sent out within a few days, so Master Fra- 
zier said, to make friendly visits to the tribes of 
the Six Nations with the hope of inducing 
them, either by threats or promises, to dig up 
the hatchet against the Virginia colonists, and 
already were stockaded buildings being erected 
by the French on the rivers. 

Unless immediate steps were taken to check 
them, our new enemies would be so firmly estab- 
lished by spring that it might not be possible to 
oust them from their places of vantage. 

This information, together with what we had 


188 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KINGo 

learned at Fort Le Boeuf and Venango, caused 
our major the liveliest impatience to have speech 
with the governor, and he announced that he 
should accompany Master Frazier on his return 
to the settlement next day. 

We all knew, however, that Master Gist would 
be forced to remain where he was until having 
recovered the use of his limbs, for he was then, 
as might be imagined, so much of a cripple that 
he could not move from one part of the room 
to another without as much assistance as a very 
small child would have required. 

Having announced his intentions, and made 
arrangements with some of Master Frazier’s 
serving men for the care of Master Gist, Major 
Washington spoke of the people we had left be- 
hind, expecting to meet them somewhere on the 
banks of the Alleghany. 

The Dutchman, Masters McQuire and Currin, 
together with the drivers. Steward and Jenkins, 
were yet in the wilderness, probably looking to 
our commander for help in event of being con- 
fronted by more serious trouble than the break- 
ing down of the horses. 

‘‘ My duty to the colony demands that I pro- 
ceed to Williamsburg with all possible despatch,” 
Major Washington said slowly, and looking at 


TURNING BACK. 


189 


me in a manner which caused me no little sur- 
prise and uneasiness. ‘‘ It is not allowed, either 
by the rules of war or humanity, that I should ab- 
solutely abandon a portion of my command, un- 
less, perchance, it might be that it was necessary 
a few should be sacrificed in order to save many. 
If Master Gist could be counted on to move about 
freely within a week or ten days, I should go 
feeling comfortable in mind, for he would take it 
upon himself to turn back in search of our com- 
rades.” 

Then it was, as he gazed at me thus earnestly, 
that I understood the meaning of all this talk. 

I had been engaged simply as an interpreter 
among the Indians, therefore he could not order 
me to turn back in the search ; but he was hoping 
I would volunteer for the service. 

Like a fiash of light my memory went over all 
the suffering and privation we had known since 
leaving the Frazier plantation. As if in a picture 
I saw before me the labor and distress of him 
who should turn back now to retrace his steps, 
and I also understood the terrible loneliness of 
such a journey. 

The outlook was so gloomy that I doubted if a 
single man might venture into the wilderness 
while winter held sway over the land, and sue- 


100 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

ceed in even making bis way to the nearest of 
the Indian villages, to say nothing of finding a 
party who had probably been wandering from 
one point to another. 

Then again, the words of Master Frazier rang 
clear in my ears. He had said that hands of 
Tightwees and Ottawas were roaming through 
the forest on their mission of blood, and I knew 
full well what would be my fate if I came across 
even the smallest of these parties. 

While all these things were floating through 
my mind Major Washington regarded me in- 
tently, with the question in his eyes which his 
lips refused to utter. 

All of Master Frazier’s party had heard his 
words, and sat watching us, knowing what the 
commander had in mind. 

It seemed much like courting death to volun- 
teer for such a service, and yet had I been ten 
times as timorous as I naturally am, I would not 
have dared to hold my peace, thus proclaiming 
to all that I was afraid to turn hack in search of 
our comrades. 

Twice I tried to speak before it was possible to 
hold command over my voice, and then I said in 
a tone which sounded weak and afar off : 

I am ready to go back, sir, and will do my 


TURNING BACK. 


191 


best to succeed, although I fail to see how I may 
be of benefit to them if it so chances that I shake 
their trail. ” 

‘‘Thank you, Davidson,” the major said quietly, 
much as though I had offered myself for some 
trifling service that might have been performed 
by a child. “I expected you would volunteer, 
for you are a brave man, and would not go 
on to Williamsburg, if perchance it was of no 
especial importance that you reached that town 
immediately, while those whom you had called 
comrades were, perhaps, perishing in the wilder- 
ness.” 

I was irritated by the fashion of his speech ; he 
made it appear as if I could not call myself a true 
man unless I turned blunderingly back searching 
in the wilderness for a party of men, which was 
much the same as if I had undertaken to look 
over a hay-stack in quest of a lost needle, and I 
said petulantly : 

“I never presumed, sir, to call the Dutchman 
a comrade. It would be fitting if he died in the 
forest, for he was a hindrance rather than a 
help to you in the work which is so nearly 
performed.” 

“ The fellow knew no better, therefore can he 
be excused. Besides, when we see a human being 


192 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

menaced by a cruel death, a brave man does not 
stop to ask if he is friend or foe. There are others 
with Master Van Braam.’ 

Ay, sir, and if I lend any aid, it will be to them, 
not the Dutchman. I have said I would turn 
back, and my face shall be set toward Venango 
when the morning comes ; but you have yet to 
tell me how I can be of service to men like Masters 
McQuire and Currin, who know the forest better 
than the best of the Delaware scouts ? ” 

If you find them in good health, making a 
certain steady advance, however slow, then you 
will have had the labor and the hardships in vain. 
But it may be they have broken down, discour- 
aged, bewildered, or sick. In such case you can 
guide them to this clearing, where Master Frazier 
stands ready to supply all that may be needed, 
charging the outlay to the colony. If there be 
dissensions among them, which is not impossible 
in case matters did not go to Master Van Braam's 
liking, then you are to take command, the au- 
thority for doing which I shall give you before we 
part. Carry with you from here all that may be 
needed ; Master Frazier shall supply you with a 
horse, and I count on your striking their trail by 
following back on our own. By this time the 
streams and the swamps will have been frozen. 


TURNING BACK. 


193 


and you should have no trouble in advancing at 
a reasonably rapid pace.” 

And when I have succeeded, or failed, sir ? ” 
I ventured to ask, believing at the moment that I 
was going to my death. 

Search me out. That the colonists will fight 
against the Frenchmen is certain, and you shall 
go into the war by my side.” 

That was to be my reward ! If the wilderness 
did not swallow me up forever ; if the Tightwees 
or the Ottawas failed to compass my death, then 
I was to have the privilege of yet further tempt- 
ing fate by marching into a battle with Major 
Washington ! 

Just at that moment I was so bitter in spirit 
that I could not look at anything in a proper light, 
and held my peace like a peevish child who rebels 
against his parents, but dare not give words to 
the rebellion. 

If Major Washington suspected what was in 
my mind, he gave no sign of so doing ; but be- 
gan to advise how I should proceed, what provi- 
sions it would be best to take with me, and other- 
wise discussed the venture as if my heart had been 
set upon making it. 

I listened in silence, never once opening my 
mouth until he laid it down as a law that I show 

13 


19J: WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


respect for Master Yan Braam, who, so the major 
said emphatically, was a learned, even though a 
foolish man. 

Then it was that I spoke up, pertly as an angry 
child might have done, and said wilfully : 

If the Dutchman and I meet face to face, it 
is he who must he careful of his speech. I have 
never said aught to offend him, and yet he has 
not lost an opportunity of showing that he con- 
siders himself far my superior.” 

‘‘Of that there is no reason why we should 
speak at present, save to say that if you would 
refuse to aid when he was in distress, simply be- 
cause you did not admire him, then many besides 
Yan Braam might with good right claim to be 
your superior. 

He could have spoken no other words that would 
have pained me so deeply as did these, and chiefly 
because I knew full well they were true. 

I hung my head for very shame, and he, under- 
standing what was in my mind, changed the sub- 
ject abruptly by speaking of the course I should 
pursue in order to strike our trail above the island 
on which we had been wrecked. 

The others present joined in the conversation, 
but it was as if the reproof had been forgotten by 
all save myself ; yet the words shone out plainly 


TURNING BACK. 


195 


before my mind’s eye, until I could have bitten 
off my tongue because of having allowed it to wag 
so freely and so foolishly. 

Master Frazier advised with me as to what I 
ought to take from his stores, and gave me much 
useful information concerning that portion of 
the country with which I was unfamiliar ; but 
even above the shame I felt, was the terrible 
thought that on the morrow I would be turning 
back to retrace my steps across that vast wilder- 
ness wherein I had come so near losing my life. 

Under ordinary circumstances I flatter myself 
that I can look upon the possibility of meeting a 
violent death with as much calmness as the aver- 
age man of my experience ; but to go out volun- 
tarily and alone where the odds were heavy 
against my ever being heard of again, was some- 
thing most horrible to contemplate. 


CHAPTER IX. 


ALONE. 

Even had I been so disposed, there was no 
opportunity to linger in camp next morning. 
Master Frazier had his company astir a full hour 
before daylight, and Major Washington was 
among them, making ready for the last stage 
of his journey. 

Master Gist, owing to the condition of his 
hands and feet, could not help himself to any ex- 
tent ; hut it had been decided at the last moment 
that he might ride, by being lashed in the saddle, 
and in such fashion he was to accompany the 
party on their return to the Frazier settlement. 

I seemed to be more alone than ever, on this 
morning when all save me were working for a 
common end. 

Foolish though it may appear at this late day, 
I am constrained to set down the fact that my 
heart was filled with sadness and forebodings when 
each man of the company was assigned a station 
during the coming march, and I not reckoned 
among them. 


196 


ALONE. 


197 


They were returning to home and friends, while 
I was to re-enter the wilderness alone, where 
even a single enemy might be able to take my 
life. 

Let it not he understood that I was entirely 
neglected. The first care of Major Washington 
and Master Frazier was to provide me with an 
outfit, and a more generous one no lad ever had. 
Two new blankets ; as much powder and ball as 
I cared to carry ; an extra gun, knife and pair of 
moccasins. 

As for food, I had the pick of the stores, and 
even ventured to burden the horse with a bushel 
of corn, for I knew how the poor beast would 
suffer unless some provision was made for him. 

It was the major himself who selected my 
steed, and he took from the stable the best animal 
there regardless of ownership ; the colony of Vir- 
ginia was chargeable with all my expenses. 

When my belongings had been gathered, and 
the horse given an extra feed of grain, we sat 
down to breakfast, the last meal I might ever 
partake of in the company of white men. 

Then the major aided me in saddling and pack- 
ing my outfit, after which he turned away as if 
bent on other duties ; but I knew he was giving 
me an opportunity to ride away without too many 


198 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

last words, which, as a rule, go far toward shak- 
ing a fellow’s courage. 

All the company, with the exception of Master 
Gist, who lay helpless in the log building, were 
busily engaged making ready for departure when 
I led my horse out into the, thicket, beyond view 
of the clearing, without speaking to any one. 

There I halted long enough to put up a prayer 
that I might be allowed to return to my own 
people once more, and then mounted, riding at a 
walk along the trail made by Master Frazier’s com- 
pany when they brought us in the day previous. 

Up to the point where we were found, two nearly 
exhausted men trying to carry a disabled com- 
rade, I would have no trouble in making my way 
without danger of straying from the course. The 
difficult portion would be in finding the place on 
the opposite bank where we had built the raft. 

Qnce there, so I argued, it would be compara- 
tively a simple task to go back on our own trail, 
for the snow could not yet have covered it. 

I rode slowly in order that my horse might be 
reasonably fresh when we came to that portion of 
the journey where he would be forced to feed on 
leaves and such herbage as could be found under 
the snow, and by nightfall was opposite the island 
on which we had been shipwrecked. 



I led my horse out into the thicket, and before mounting, 
put up a prayer for my safe return. Page 198. 

When W ashington Served the King 








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ALONE. 


199 


Here I put up a shelter of boughs for myself 
and my steed, for we were to be stabled together, 
and ate supper while he was contentedly munch- 
ing his corn. 

Nor did I feel uncomfortable although the night 
was very cold. The storm had ceased, hut the 
moon was not yet to be seen because of the clouds, 
and I said to myself that my situation could not 
be desperate, so far as battling with elements 
was concerned, while the weather was fair. 

The river was frozen from shore to shore ; I 
could cross it at any point, and it was in my mind 
to follow up on the opposite side next day in order 
to avoid missing that particular spot on the hank 
from which would be found our trail, leading, as 
I hoped, straight back to where we had left those 
of whom I was in search. 

It was not possible to guard against an attack 
by the enemies whom I had good reason to believe 
were in the vicinity, unless I attempted to get on 
without sleep, therefore, confiding myself to the 
care of the good God, as when I was a prisoner in 
the hands of the Delawares, I laid down to sleep by 
the side of the horse. 

The light of a new day awakened me, and I 
rose to my feet refreshed in mind and body. The 
hardest portion of my task, that of cutting loose 


200 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

from the men of my kind, was past, and I 
looked forward with far less of apprehension than 
when I lay securely in Master Frazier’s trading 
station. 

I crossed on the ice when beginning the day’s 
journey, and followed up the course of the river 
as nearly as the undergrowth would permit, 
thinking to arrive at the place where we had 
built the raft, before night overtook me. 

In this I was disappointed, and surprised at 
learning that we had been carried down the river 
so far by the current. I would have said that we 
drifted no more than four or five miles, and yet 
when my horse had walked eight hours, which 
could not have represented less than sixteen miles, 
it was positive I was not yet come to the point 
where we struck the river while fighting back the 
Tightwees. 

Lest one should think I ought to have traveled 
more than two miles an hour, let it be set down 
that through the deep snow, and amid the under- 
brush which oftentimes necessitated a detour of 
many miles in order to gain one of distance in a 
straight line, it was really good headway. 

I camped on this second night in a dense thicket 
of pine bushes, and was not obliged to spend 
many minutes in putting up such a shelter as 


ALONE. 


^01 


served my needs ; but now the sensation of utter 
loneliness came upon me with even more force 
than when I was looking forward to it on the 
evening Major Washington proposed I go in 
search of our company. 

Never before had I so fully realized the solitude 
of the forest ; I could not remember of a silence 
so profound. It was as if I had suddenly been 
taken from the earth, and set down on a tract of 
land where was no form of life. My heart was 
like to burst because of the sense of utter desola- 
tion which overwhelmed me, and I had become so 
dispirited as not to be ashamed of the tears which 
coursed down my cheeks. 

Sleep was a sweet consoler to me, and, induced 
by fatigue, it did not linger long before fastening 
upon my eyelids. 

Next morning I awakened considerably more 
of a man than when I laid down, and, to prevent 
a return of loneliness, I hastened to take up the 
line of march. 

Before noon I had arrived at the scene of the 
raft building, and found our trail written plainly 
in the snow as I had expected. 

Pushing forward at a better pace, because the 
path was somewhat freed from snow by our pre- 
vious passage, I came upon the places where we 


202 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


had checked a Tightwee in his course, and knew 
that the enemy had fled in alarm after our last 
shot, by the fact that a dead Indian lay face down- 
ward behind a clump of bushes. Had they not 
been frightened, a stop would have been made to 
bury the body lest the scalp fall into the hands of 
a foe. 

I said to myself that my safest plan, and per- 
haps the quickest way of flnding those for whom I 
sought, would be to go back on the trail made by 
the major, Master Gist and myself, until I came 
to that point where we parted company with 
the others. From there I would follow their 
course as shown by the snow, provided they had 
left the temporary camp. This would cost me 
more traveling ; but, as I reckoned, would be the 
cheapest in the end. 

Leaving the dead body of the Tightwee undis- 
turbed, for I did not care to carry his scalp when 
at any moment I might come across other mem- 
bers of his tribe, I rode onward, keeping my eyes 
alternately on the trail and the surrounding 
country. 

When I have set down this last record it is the 
same as if I had told all the story of three days’ 
march, for I saw no living thing, heard no sound 
save the creaking of the trees as they were swayed 


ALONE. 


203 


to and fro by the wind, nor found anything to 
betoken that others were in the wilderness. 

Then, suddenly, just at nightfall on the sixth 
day after leaving Master Frazier’s trading post, 
I saw a thin curl of smoke coming up from behind 
a thicket near at hand, and in my surprise and 
agitation I reined the horse in until he was thrown 
back on his haunches. 

This evidence of human beings almost fright- 
ened me, who had been alone so long that it had 
come to appear as if I was the only inhabitant 
left in the world. 

It was reasonable to suppose that those who had 
built the fire were my enemies, and I had come so 
near already that, if they were keeping watch, it 
would be too late to beat a retreat. 

Hardly daring to breathe lest the sound attract 
attention, I wheeled the horse carefully around, 
and retraced my steps until coming to a portion 
of the forest where he could be partially concealed 
from view. 

There I tied the bridle rein to a tree ; threw one 
of my blankets over his head so that he might 
not be temped to whinny in case any one passed, 
and, after looking to it that my gun was ready 
for immediate use, I stole forward cautiously, 
taking advantage of every bush in my path. 


204 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

It was not a simple matter to steal up over that 
white surface of snow without betraying my 
movements to any who might be on the look-out, 
and had those by the fire kept the watch that 
their situation demanded, I could not have ad- 
vanced twenty paces without attracting attention. 

As it was, however, I succeeded in making my 
way directly into the thicket where the fire was 
kindled, and then an exclamation of surprise and 
perhaps delight burst from my lips, as I recog- 
nized the two persons who were stretched at full 
length in front of the blaze. 

The noise which I made, slight though it was, 
caused the loungers to spring up suddenly, weap- 
ons in hand, and then I showed myself boldly, 
for I had accidentally stumbled across Half-King 
and Eunning Deer. 

Of all the Delawares these two were my friends, 
and at first sight of them I wondered exceedingly 
why they were in the forest alone. 

I noted with satisfaction the look of pleasure 
which came over Eunning Deer’s face as he saw 
me ; but Half-King was too old a warrior to ex- 
press any emotion. He simply motioned for me 
to come to the fire, which invitation was sufficient 
welcome to please me, and then threw himself 
down on his blanket again. 


ALONE. 


^05 


I explained that I had left my horse near by, 
and would go to fetch him, after which I hurried 
away, and half an hour later the animal was 
stabled in the thicket while I lay before the fire 
with the Delawares, inexpressibly thankful at be- 
ing in the company of human beings once more. 

Not until I had eaten of their fresh venison, 
and offered my store for their acceptance, did 
either of us ask why the other was in the wilder- 
ness. Then Half-King paved the way for my 
explanations by inquiring if the governor’s 
messenger was near at hand. 

I told him all that had happened, and explained 
why I was going back alone, whereat he shook 
his head gravely, as if to say the danger was too 
great to be met by a single white man. 

The Tightwees and Ottawas are on the war- 
path against the English of Virginia, and if the 
foolish fat man and those who are with him have 
not been killed or taken by this time, they soon 
will be.” 

It is for me to know if they are alive or dead,” 
I replied. ‘‘ The major sent me, and I must do 
his bidding, even though in so doing I lose my 
scalp.” 

You will not get back as far as their trail,” 
the Delaware said in a tone of conviction. 


206 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


Thinking that I might gain a better idea of the 
situation by learning why they had left J eskakake 
and White Thunder behind, I asked bluntly for an 
explanation, and Half-King made no hesitation 
about imparting the information. 

This is the story as he told it in his deliberate 
manner, often pausing for many minutes at a 
time as if to give me opportunity to thoroughly 
understand it in all its bearings. 

It appeared that when our party left Venango 
Half-King was not inclined to desert us ; but al- 
lowed himself to be over-persuaded by Jeskakake 
and White Thunder. Kunning Deer, being a 
young brave without a tepee of his own, was 
forced to obey the commands of his elders. It 
was urged by the two Delawares who insisted on 
remaining at the French outpost, that our party 
would be forced to turn back within eight and 
forty hours, therefore it was well to save them- 
selves as much labor and suffering as the attempt 
would cost. 

Immediately after we had departed. Captain 
Joncaire renewed his offers of friendship, and 
promised to send valuable presents to Logstown 
if the sachems would agree, in the name of their 
tribe, not to take sides against the French. Fire- 
water was dealt out generously, and the natural 


ALONE. 


207 


result was that an orgy followed, during the be- 
ginning of which one of the Tightwees let slip 
the secret that the captain had sent a party on 
the major’s trail to kill him. 

Now certain it is that Half- King was an honest 
man as Indians go, and abhorred anything in the 
shape of treachery, therefore as soon as he re- 
covered from the effects of the liquor sufficiently 
to understand the information which had been 
given, he went at once to Captain Joncaire, flatly 
charging that officer with his crime. 

^‘An Indian does not stretch out the pipe of 
peace with one hand, and dig up the hatchet with 
the other,” he said sternly to the French com- 
mandant, so Running Deer, who was present at 
the interview, told me. If the Frenchmen have 
a double face for white men, then their words to 
the Delawares are not to be trusted. I will go 
back to my people, and tell them what I have 
seen and heard.” 

Being thus accused of treachery. Captain Jon- 
caire had no hesitation about lying, and declared 
flatly that he had never even dreamed of dealing 
double with the messenger from the governor of 
Virginia. In fact, he accused the Tightwee of 
speaking falsely, and so managed the matter that 
the Indian who had revealed the secret to Half- 


208 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

King voluntarily came forward and declared 
there was no truth in his statement. 

Half- King was silenced hut not convinced. In- 
stead of setting out at once to follow our trail, 
however, he searched the settlement until he had 
ascertained beyond doubt that five or six Indians 
had left immediately after our party went away, 
and this was sufficient to prove that Captain Jon- 
caire had descended to a lie. 

There was a stormy scene between the three 
Delaware sachems. Jeskakake and White Thun- 
der had been liberally supplied with rum, and were 
not disposed to quit such hospitable quarters to 
fiounder through the snow toward Logstown. 
Therefore it was they declared that Half-King 
was mistaken ; that Captain Joncaire had spoken 
the truth, and refused to budge a single inch 
until spring. 

Eunning Deer was allowed to choose which 
side he would espouse, and readily allied himself 
with Half-King. 

The two made ready for departure ; but the 
Tightwees opposed every obstacle short of actu- 
ally using force, and thus delayed them eight and 
forty hours. At the end of which time Half- 
King strode gravely into the center of the settle- 
ment, gun in hand, and announced that he would 


ALONE. 209 

shoot the first who laid so much as a straw in his 
path toward the trail of the Virginians. 

Captain Joncaire knew full well that any in- 
dignity offered this powerful sachem would be 
resented by all the tribes of the Six Nations, and, 
not daring to bring such a foe around the ears of 
the French, did his best to make it appear that he 
had had no hand in the delaying of the chief. 

In order the better to clear his skirts of the 
charge of treachery, he announced to the Tight- 
wees present that whoever should raise his hand 
against Half-King or Eunning Deer was an enemy 
to the French people, and charged them with 
sending out parties to make certain the two were 
not interfered with in any way during their 
journey. 

Then the Delawares began their march, leaving 
behind them Jeskakake and White Thunder, who 
promised faithfully not to bind themselves to the 
French against the English of Virginia. 

Half -King had no difficulty in following the 
trail until he arrived at the point where our party 
had separated, and he readily guessed that Major 
Washington was one of the three who had left the 
horses behind in order to travel more rapidly. 

He and his companion set out on our trail, giv- 
ing no heed to the Dutchman’s party, and before 
14 


210 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

many hours had passed they met three Indians 
supporting a fourth who was wounded, on the 
way to Venango. 

These fellows made no secret of the fact that 
they had been charged by Captain Joncaire with 
the murder of Major Washington, and now, 
having had enough of such difficult work, were 
returning unsuccessful. They announced, how- 
ever, that the French captain would not be dis- 
appointed as to the fruitless result of his treach- 
ery, for there were several bands of Tightwees 
and Ottawas in the wilderness bent on the same 
mission, and it was hardly ' probable all would 
fail. 

Because of such fact Half-King believed that 
the Dutchman’s party had already come to 
grief, and advised me most earnestly to return 
with him to Logstown. 

After I explained to him, however, that I had 
voluntarily accepted the task, and could not 
honorably forsake it without knowing to a cer- 
tainty that the travelers were either dead or 
prisoners, he ceased to speak of my turning back ; 
but remained in front of the fire as if plunged in 
deep thought, while Kunning Deer and I held 
converse on the possibility of a desperate war be- 
tween the English of Virginia and the French. 


ALONE. 


211 


As a matter of course, I remained with my 
friends the Delawares that night, forgetting for 
the time being that in the morning it would 
again be my duty to set off alone on what now 
seemed an almost hopeless quest. 

Eefreshed and greatly encouraged thereby, I 
arose from my bed of pine boughs next morning 
at daylight, and gave to the horse a small portion 
of corn, making ready my own breakfast while he 
was contentedly eating his. 

Half-King bestirred himself when I began 
moving around, and after my preparations for 
continuing the journey had been made, he said 
in a friendly tone : 

The Frenchmen have come to take away the 
land from the Delawares, while the English have 
ever shown themselves very good friends. I 
must go to my people to guard them against 
listening to the lying words of our enemies. 
When I have told what the French captain did 
against the messenger whom he had treated as a 
brother, the eyes of the Delawares will be opened. 
Therefore I shall go my way ; but if Eunning 
Deer is minded to join you in the search for those 
who travel with the foolish man, you will not be 
alone. His wounds are healed, and he can travel 
cn foot as fast as you in the saddle.” 


212 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

A great wave of joy and relief came into my 
heart at the idea of having the Indian lad as a 
companion during the long march, and I looked 
quickly toward him. 

It is not needed that I speak to the Delawares 
of what I have seen in the French settlement, for 
Half- King can tell the whole story. I will go to 
search for the Dutchman, because there is a debt 
between us which must be paid some day,” and 
having thus explained that desire for revenge, 
not motives of humanity, dictated his decision, 
Eunning Deer began gathering up his belong- 
ings. 

‘‘ The foolish man is not one of the English ; 
you have spoken well,” Half-King replied, and 
then he divided the stores, taking for himself the 
smaller portion as he said : 

Your journey will be long ; I shall be with 
my people on the fourth day. Take all you need, 
and see to it that both of you come back to me 
before giving to the governor’s messenger an 
account of your work.” 

I readily promised to stop at Logstown when I 
should be free to set out for Williamsburg, and 
we loaded on the back of the horse all the belong- 
ings, for it was my purpose to walk ; I would not 
ride while my companion was on foot. 


ALONE. 


213 


When he had given us two-thirds of his stores, 
and emptied his powder-horn and shot-pouch 
until he had no more than three charges left, 
Half-King ceased to pay any further attention to 
either Eunning Deer or myself. He sat in front 
of the fire gazing at the embers as if his one 
desire was to be alone, and I was too well ac- 
quainted with the ways of Indians to make any 
effort at arousing him. ' 

We packed our goods on the horse, looked 
around once more to be certain nothing had been 
forgotten, and then set out, speaking no word 
to the Indian who remained by the fire like a 
statue. 

Not until we were a mile away from the place 
of encampment did either of us speak, and then 
it was Eunning Deer who broke the almost pain- 
ful silence. 

‘‘ Half-King loves the English too well,’’ he said 
in a tone of dissatisfaction. 

“Why do you say that ? The English of Vir- 
ginia have been his good friends.” 

“Yes, while he is so strong that they dare 
not say nay to his yes ; but when they have out- 
grown him, he will see how much love is kept 
for the Delawares.” 

“You have been listening to the lying tongues 


214 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

of the Tightwees, who have learned their lesson 
from Captain Joncaire,” I replied sternly, really 
feeling a certain sensation of fear that Eunning 
Deer should have hit so near my own thoughts, 
for once the young braves of his tribe got such 
an idea in their minds, much harm would come 
to the colonists. 

I could not answer him as I should have done, 
for I also believed much the same, having heard 
the people of Williamsburg complain that the 
sachems of the Delawares held their heads too 
high, and I knew the Indians would find little 
love when our countrymen were no longer afraid 
of them. 

It makes no change in the wind when the 
Tightwees talk,” Eunning Deer replied scorn- 
fully. ‘‘I am not a child, and have seen the 
English in their own settlements, as well as among 
our people. They are two colors ; red for us 
when in the forest, and white for themselves in 
their own tepees.” 

‘‘You have talked too much with the hot-heads 
of your tribe, else we would not have met you on 
the war-path.” 

“I shall go there again,” he said decidedly. 

“ When ? ” 

“ After the English no longer fear the French 


ALONE. 215 

people they will try to take our lands. It is not 
well to be loved by the white men.” 

Then why did you come with me ? ” 

‘^You are more Indian than English, and I 
wanted to come face to face with the Dutchman.” 

When he first made mention of his desire to go 
with me in order to meet Master Van Braam, I 
gave little heed to his words, so great was my joy 
at the idea of having a companion during the long 
journey ; but now that he repeated it, and with 
vindictive emphasis, I began to ask myself if I 
had done right in allowing him to accompany 
me. 

With Running Deer by my side I was at the 
same time trying to give succor, and bringing 
death on their trail. 

This new thought disturbed me not a little ; 
but I tried to put it from my mind for the very 
good reason that it was now too late to make any 
change of plans. Running Deer was my com- 
panion, and I could not send him back without 
making an enemy who might, and probably could, 
prevent me from doing that which I had been 
bidden. 

The lad understood that I was not pleased by 
his words, and sought to make me a partner in 
his plan of revenge, by saying : 


216 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

“You have no love for the Dutchman. He has 
not been a friend of yours.” 

“That is true, yet I would not do him a harm 
while my orders are to help him out of the wilder- 
ness. ” 

“ When he is again in the white men’s settle- 
ment will you also be his enemy ? ” 

“Not to the extent of killing him ; hut I shall 
have some very plain talk with Master Van 
Braam.” 

“You will get the squaws to help you !” the 
Delaware said scornfully, for he could not under- 
stand how any quarrel could be settled save by 
the shedding of blood. 

It appeared to me as if our conversation was 
taking a dangerous turn, and I tried to change it 
by asking him how he spent his time in Venango 
after I had left. 

Kunning Deer knew full well why I turned 
back to another subject, and refused to make any 
reply, whereupon we trudged along in silence a 
full hour. 

We were on the trail made by Major Washing- 
ton’s party, of which 1 had been one, and it was 
marked so plainly that only a blind man might 
have gone astray. 

The Delaware walked in advance, he having 


ALONE. 


m 


insisted on so doing ; the horse followed him, and 
I brought up the rear to make certain the animal 
did not stray. 

At the best we could not make more than two 
miles an hour ; but even this slow progress was 
so very much faster than I had been traveling a 
few days previous, that it seemed really speedy, 
and I said to myself it had been foolish in me to 
look forward with so much of fear to the journey 
in search of my comrades, for it was like to be 
performed quickly. 

When noon came we halted in a thicket and al- 
lowed the horse to feed upon the moss which could 
he found by scraping away the snow, while we 
ate a hearty meal of cold broiled venison from 
Half-King’s outfit. 

We were not unduly fatigued, and this resting 
amid the bushes where we were sheltered from 
the wind and warmed by the sun, was exceeding 
pleasant. 

Kunning Deer spoke of the journey which yet 
lay before us ; of Masters McQuire and Currin, 
whom he considered his very good friends, and 
then would have come back to his plan for re- 
venge upon Van Braam, but that I checked him 
by saying : 

cannot listen when you speak of killing one 


218 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

whom I have been ordered to save. Your plans 
are not mine, and it will be well if I know noth- 
ing of them.’’ 

You are a coward who allows himself to be 
spit upon ! ” he said angrily, and I replied, giving 
him a soft answer because it would have been the 
height of folly to take part in a quarrel as we 
were then situated : 

‘‘I am the one who has given his word, and 
until the work is done which the major com- 
manded, I am forced to stand as a friend to Mas- 
ter Van Braam.” 

“ Even when he laughs at you ? ” 

“ He will keep a straight face, Eunning Deer, 
if it so be he is yet alive, until having got out of 
the wilderness, and then I am not bound by any 
promise.” 

He looked up eagerly, as if thinking he under- 
stood that there was a threat in my words ; but 
before he could speak the horse ceased eating sud- 
denly, pricked up his ears, and, as it seemed to 
me, was on the point of whinnying, when I seized 
him by the nostrils, thus cutting off any such 
noise. 

Both Eunning Deer and I knew full well that 
the animal had scented human beings, and, as 
can well be imagined, we were immediately on 


ALONE. 


219 


the alert, for we had good reason to look upon as 
our enemies any who might be in the wilderness 
at that time. 

I covered the horse’s head as soon as it was 
possible to get a blanket from the pack, and while 
I was thus engaged Eunning Deer wormed his 
way beneath the bushes to have a fair look at the 
newcomers. 

Before I had fastened the animal to my liking, 
the Delaware was by my side whispering : 

“ Tight wees ! Eight braves on the war-path, 
and they carry scalps ! The trail leads them 
here ! ” 

I seized my gun instinctively, even while know- 
ing we two could make but little resistance 
against such a band, and the thumping of my 
heart was good proof that a sensation of timor- 
ousness was rapidly creeping over me. 


CHAPTER X. 


THE WAR-PARTY. 

There was deadly menace to the English of 
Virginia in the fact that the Tight wees, who were 
known to be friends of the French, had dared to 
take to the war-path. 

It showed beyond a doubt that those who were 
trying to wrest the lands bordering the great 
rivers from the English, had countenanced, if not 
actually advised, the opening of hostilities, and 
we understood that murder had already been com- 
mitted because of the scalps Running Deer had 
seen. 

More than this, we knew white settlers from 
Virginia were the first victims, because these In- 
dians would not have dared to make an attack 
upon others of their kind, nor would the French 
have permitted it while they were trying to induce 
the Delawares to openly declare themselves as 
allies. 

Had I been alone at that moment, it is almost 
certain I should have fallen beneath the knives of 
220 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


221 


the party, for they were following the open trail 
where I lay under cover, and there was no oppor- 
tunity for concealment. I must have been forced 
to flee, and they might readily have overtaken me. 

So suddenly had the danger come upon us, and 
so desperate did the situation appear, that I lost 
my head, so to speak, and stood plucking at the 
blanket which covered the horse’s head in helpless 
bewilderment. 

It was Eunning Deer who saved my life as 
surely as I had saved his when the Dutchman 
would have committed murder. 

It must he thought that I am on the trail 
alone ! ” he whispered. It may be they will turn 
back when I have said that the major has gotten 
out of the wilderness, and that there are no set- 
tlers this side the river, therefore your footprints 
will not be seen.” 

Even then I failed to understand what might 
be done, and looked around wildly, whereupon he 
pulled the blanket from the horse’s head, thrust it 
into my hands, and said sharply : 

Crawl under the bushes, and remain quiet.” 

As he spoke Eunning Deer seized the bridle-rein 
and moved forward, and my wits returned, for I 
began to have more than a glimmer of his plan. 

At this point the thicket was so dense that one 


222 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

might readily hide almost anywhere, unless a 
thorough search was made, and I crept under a 
thick bush, taking good care to brush the snow 
over my footprints as I advanced. 

By chance I had selected the only spot where I 
could have a view of the enemy, and thus it was 
that all which took place was plain before my eyes. 

Eunning Deer went boldly on as if ignorant 
there were others besides himself in the vicinity, 
and on coming into view of the Tightwees started 
in well-feigned surprise. Then he came to a halt, 
and held up his open hand, with the palm outward 
in token of friendly intentions. 

This signal was not answered immediately ; the 
Indians gazed at him searchingly an instant, ready 
to repel or make an attack if it should be seen that 
he had companions, and then he who appeared to be 
the leader stepped forward a few paces as he asked : 

Where are the English who were with you at 
the French post ? ” 

Why do you speak to me of them ? ” Eunning 
Deer cried angrily. Were you not at Venango 
when the Delawares remained behind, leaving the 
white men to go their way ? ” 

The Indian assented to this by his silence, and 
thus did I know beyond a doubt that this band of 
Tightwees had been sent on the war-path against 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


223 


the colonists, by that gallant French captain who 
would have allowed one of his guests to be mur- 
dered. 

‘‘ Did you leave the village in company with 
Half-King ? ” the Tightwee leader asked after a 
pause. 

‘‘That much you saw,” the Delaware returned 
boldly. 

“Then why is your face set backward on the 
trail?” 

“Why may it not be ? ” and now Running Deer 
showed signs of rising anger. “ Are the Dela- 
wares forbidden to go there or come here as 
pleases them ? ” 

“ The hatchet has been dug up against the Eng- 
lish by the Tigh twees and their friends, the French ; 
but Half-King refused to put on his war-paint.” 

“ Why should he do so ? Is it because the 
Tightwees have told him that he must? Since 
the hatchet has been taken up is the forest no 
longer free to the Delawares ? ” 

“Not if they would aid the English.” 

“ What has Jeskakake or White Thunder told 
you ? Those sachems yet remain at the French 
ou tpost. Do you require that they shall raise their 
hands against their own people ? ” 

The Tightwee was evidently tiring of this inter- 


224 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

view when the young Delaware was asking too 
many awkward questions, and after speaking a 
few words with his followers, he turned toward 
Eunning Deer once more. 

‘‘ Is the Delaware going to join the sachems of 
this tribe at the French village ? ” 

‘‘What else would have set my face backward 
on the trail ? The messenger from the governor 
of Virginia has gone past the village of the Dela- 
wares, and cannot now be stopped on his way. 
When this was known Running Deer turned to- 
ward the French post, for he would learn what is 
to be done.” 

“Where is Half-King?” 

“ In his own tepee ; Running Deer left him two 
days’ march this side the village of the Delawares.” 

This last reply appeared to settle all the doubts 
of the Tightwees, for the leader held up his open 
hand with the palm toward Running Deer, and 
the young Delaware advanced boldly until he was 
in the midst of the party, where I could no longer 
hear what was said. 

The Indians appeared to receive him in the 
most friendly fashion, and the younger members 
of the party displayed with pride the scalp-locks 
of fair hair which hung at their belts, all the 
while seemingly urging him to some course, for 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


225 


he shook his head doubtfully from time to time, 
whereat they talked yet more earnestly. 

The one fear in my mind was that the war-party 
would continue on the same course as when we 
first came upon them, in which case my discovery 
was certain, for once past the thicket where I 
lay hidden, it would be seen that two persons had 
walked with the horse. 

After that was made apparent it would be as 
well for me to show myself without delay, else 
should I be dragged forth with much abuse and 
great display of cruelty. 

Now, having nothing better to do, I began to 
speculate as to what my position would be if the 
Tight wees should turn back toward Venango and 
insist upon Eunning Deer’s accompanying them. 
He could not refuse to do so, after having given 
them to understand that his course lay in that 
direction, and. I would be left alone with nothing 
in the way of an outfit save one blanket and my 
gun. 

It was not a pleasing prospect to look forward 
on, and yet I knew it might readily happen ; but 
I strove to drive such thoughts from my mind, 
by watching the Tightwees. 

They were traveling with horses, and had an 
ample supply of fresh meat, a goodly amount of 

15 


226 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

which some of the younger men began to cook 
immediately a fire could be built. 

As the odor of flesh assailed my nostrils 
another disagreeable thought occurred to me, 
which was that the party might conclude to camp 
where they were for the night, in which case I 
must perforce remain beneath the shelter of the 
hushes until I was like to get as much of such a 
resting-place as would satisfy me for all time. 

Judging from what I could see, the Tight wees 
had concluded to receive Running Deer as a friend ; 
they most likely believed he could be induced to 
join them against the English, and were bent on 
showing what jovial companions they could be. 

After partaking of a hearty meal, during which 
the young Delaware was served with all the 
choice portions of meat, the braves built the fire 
higher, and lounged around as if bent on remain- 
ing there all night. 

Running Deer could do no less than play his 
part despite my disagreeable position, and he 
seemed to be proving that he was no mean hand 
at story-telling. 

I watched and watched until the sun sank in 
the west, and then was it certain I must remain 
in my bed of snow until morning, only to be cap- 
tured finally if the war-party took it into their 


THE WAR-PARTY. 227 

heads to go on in the direction from which we had 
come. 

Well, I could do no less than put a pleasant 
face on the affair, and tried to keep myself warm 
by piling up the snow against the outside of my 
blanket. 

When evening came I noted that Running Deer 
moved restlessly about, oftentimes approaching 
near to where I lay concealed, and it came into 
my head that it was his purpose to have speech 
with me if I would do my part. 

With this idea I kept sharp watch of his move- 
ments, and finally the time came when he ad- 
vanced within two paces of my hiding-place, 
throwing into the bushes something which he 
took from beneath his blanket. 

By dint of much crawling, and groping about 
with my hands, I finally found that which he had 
flung at me, and was not disappointed in learning 
that it was a slice of cooked meat, rather the 
worse from having been carried under his blanket 
so long. I was too hungry to stand upon trifles 
in the way of cleanliness, however, and set about 
devouring it with a feeling of thankfulness in my 
heart because I was not called upon to suffer 
hunger as well as cold. 

Never do I remember of a night which seemed 


228 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

SO long ! I dared not close my eyes in slumber 
lest something should happen for which I had not 
been prepared, and, nerved up as I was, the 
seconds seemed like minutes, while each hour 
passed as if it was an entire day. 

There was a sensation of deepest relief in my 
heart, even though the time of greatest danger 
was near at hand, when it was possible to see the 
gray streaks of coming day in the eastern sky, 
and I strained my eyes to catch a glimpse of the 
first member of the party who awakened. 

It was, as T fancied might be the case, Eunning 
Deer who arose cautiously and slowly lest he 
should awaken his companions, and immediately 
I crept partially out from beneath the bushes, 
for I knew that he counted on speaking with me 
before the others were aroused. 

The young Delaware lounged toward the clump 
of bushes as if simply bent on shaking off the 
slumber which had enchained him, and when he 
stood within half a dozen paces, concealed by the 
shadows, I appeared before him. 

‘‘You must walk boldly past the sleepers, and 
make all haste on their trail. I will overtake you 
when they have departed.” 

“ Then they will not turn back ? ” I asked with 
a sigh of relief. 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


229 


‘‘No, it is decided to make an attack on the 
Frazier settlement, and you must pass them now, 
before they see our trail.’’ 

It was as dangerous a task as one could be 
called upon to perform, this attempt to march 
past a band of sleeping Indians who were likely 
to be aroused by the slightest unusual noise, if 
indeed some were not awake already ; but I knew 
it must be done if I would save my life, therefore 
I did not linger to think over the perils. 

Eunning Deer hastened back and threw himself 
down once more in front of the embers, and when 
he had done so I came out from the bushes, mov- 
ing leisurely as he had, lounging along as if it 
was my purpose to join the party. 

My only hope of succeeding in the effort if 
any of the Tightwees were awake, was that, 
while slumber hung heavily upon their eyelids, 
I might be mistaken for one of the band, there- 
fore it was I must walk with apparent heedless- 
ness. 

The heavy beating of my heart sounded in my 
ears like the drumming of a partridge in the spring- 
time, and the moisture of fear filled my eyes to 
overfiowing. 

I gained the place where the horses were hob- 
bled ; stopped there for an instant to make certain 


230 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

my movements had not been noted with suspicion, 
and then passed on in the direction of Venango, 
my knees trembling under me as I walked. 

It was yet quite dark ; the shadows of night 
had not given way before the light of dawn, and 
when I had gained a point twenty paces or more 
beyond the sleepers, I knew it would not be pos- 
sible to distinguish my form in the gloom. 

Then it was that I struck out at my best pace, 
traveling as a man only can when he knows life 
depends upon his individual efforts, and literally 
wet with perspiration which had been brought out 
through my skin by fear. 

In ten minutes I was well clear of the encamp- 
ment ; but danger yet menaced. 

When the Tightwees made ready to continue 
the march it was almost certain they would see 
my trail in the snow, and I knew that Running 
Deer could not give an explanation which would 
be free from suspicious points. The young Dela- 
ware would then be in the same peril as was I, 
and there were many chances that the end of our 
days was very near at hand. 

I continued to walk at my best pace until I was, 
according to my belief, a full mile from where 
the Tightwees spent the night, and then I climbed 
into a huge pine tree, having taken care to 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


231 


cover my trail for a distance of an hundred paces 
from it. 

Here, wedging my body between the branches, 
I could see far out over the path by which I had 
come, and would thus be able to get timely warn- 
ing if the enemy turned back in pursuit, while 
they could not find me save by climbing twenty 
trees or more, each of which might well have con- 
cealed a fugitive. 

In fact, I fully expected to be pursued, and 
made a rest for my musket by bending down one 
of the branches, in order that I might take delib- 
erate aim when they arrived, for it was my 
purpose to die fighting rather than at the stake. 
I would take with me into the Beyond as many 
Tightwees as I had bullets, unless they succeeded 
in killing me at the first shot. 

Because of being in such a frame of mind, it 
was hardly possible to credit the evidence of my 
own senses when I saw Eunning Deer riding to- 
ward me, apparently unconcerned as to whether 
or no he might be followed. 

I rubbed my eyes and looked twice before daring 
to descend, and then with a heart full of thanks- 
giving, I clambered down as he approached. 

Well ? ” I asked breathlessly, as he dismounted 
and we took up our line of march once more. 


^32 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

‘‘They will not come after us before noon, and 
by that time we must have put many miles 
between ourselves and them.” 

“ Will they not see my trail ? ” 

“It has been agreed that they remain where 
we left them, till noon, for they have traveled 
long and fast, and need rest. None of them will 
have any reason for going beyond the thicket, 
therefore, as I have said, we are free for five 
hours or more.” 

‘ ‘ Where did they get the scalps ? ” 

“ At that settlement on the river above where 
we crossed. There were two families.” 

“ And none were taken prisoners ?” 

“Not one ; they could not be troubled with 
captives while chasing the governor’s messenger.” 

I could not repress a shudder of what was very 
like fear as I pictured the scene in that small settle- 
ment of two dwellings when the painted demons 
arrived. I had lived through a similar experience, 
save that I only, out of eight, was permitted to 
live. 

No good could come by speculating upon what 
had been done, for now it was that I needed all 
my courage, and dwelling upon the bloody work 
of the Indians was not the proper way in which 
to drive off timorousness, therefore it was I tried 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


^33 


to change the subject of the conversation by ask- 
ing why the Tightwees went so far afoot as to 
make for the Frazier settlement, when there were 
other white people nearer at hand 

‘^It is because Captain Joncaire has said he 
wants Frazier’s scalp. The Frenchman believes 
that the trader has much influence with Shingias, 
who refuses to take up the hatchet against the 
English of Yirginia.” 

Of a verity was war already begun, if an officer 
of the French army could send out murderers at 
will, and I vowed then that if the time ever came 
when I should have Captain Joncaire for a target, 
he would not be allowed to doom other honest men 
to death. 

There was nothing Running Deer or I could do 
to avert the danger which threatened the trader. 
Even though we had been beyond the Tightwees, 
nearer the settlement than they, it would not be 
possible for us to traverse the distance in time to 
give an alarm, for these Indians were all mounted, 
and could travel two miles while we were walking 
one. 

Besides, we had our work already cut out for 
us in case we would save our own scalps. The 
forenoon must be spent in diligent work, with 
never a halt, if we would so far gain on the 


284 : WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

enemy that it might be too much of a task for 
them to pursue. 

It can well be supposed that we walked at our 
best speed, urging the horse into a trot if he failed 
to keep pace with us, and when noon came we 
halted only so long as was necessary to give the 
animal a breathing spell ; we were in so much 
danger that whatever our condition we would 
not have been conscious of fatigue. 

Eunning Deer felt certain the Tight wees would 
not discover that he had had a companion, until 
after the noon hour, and, therefore, we counted 
that if a pursuit was made, the enemy could not 
under the most favorable circumstances overtake 
us before sunset. 

When night came, however, there was nothing 
to betoken the coming of the Indians, and I pro- 
posed that instead of camping until morning, we 
halt sufficiently long to give the horse a portion 
of corn, and then press forward again, claiming 
that by such means we might possibly tire out 
those in the rear, if perchance any were in pursuits 

The young Delaware, inured to long marches, 
was nothing loth, and after a halt of less than an 
hour we went on again, until arriving at the spot 
where Major Washington’s party had divided 
into two sections. 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


235 


Although much snow had fallen since that time 
when five men and all the horses halted there to 
discuss the situation, the trail was so broad that 
we could readily see it even in the gloom of night 
and, as a matter of course, we followed it. 

It is not to be supposed that we did so as one 
would turn aside on a village street. There was 
a possibility that the Tightwees might be fooled 
by us, and instead of hearing sharply to the left 
as had the party with which was the Dutchman, 
we kept on, traveling toward Venango a full 
half mile, when Eunning Deer gave an exhi- 
bition of what he could do toward covering a 
trail. 

It was comparatively an easy matter to hide 
one’s footprints in the snow, and yet I question if 
I could have done so in such a thorough manner 
that the handiwork might not be apparent here 
or there ; but the young Delaware effaced our 
trail completely until we had retraced our steps 
and advanced a quarter of a mile on the new 
course. It was as if we had never broken the 
surface of the snow which covered the tracks of 
the company I had been sent out to find. 

A Delaware can blind a Tight wee at any time, ” 
Running Deer said with an air of pride when the 
work was done to his satisfaction, and there was 


236 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


nothing to prevent our pushing ahead at the best 
possible pace. Those who have decided to take 
scalps from the Frazier settlement had better keep 
on their course, for nothing will be gained by com- 
ing back in search of us.” 

And I so far believed the statement as to lose 
all fear regarding that particular party of braves. 
We had ‘‘blinded” them beyond a doubt, and 
need not worry our heads further. 

Until daylight we traveled at a sharp walk, and 
then I was so nearly exhausted that it seemed im- 
possible I could proceed a single mile further ; but 
when I proposed to make camp, urging that we 
need feel no alarm because of those whom we had 
tricked, Kunning Deer said persuasively : 

“ An hour’s march further on, and we shall 
come to the stockaded house built by the white 
man Crosby, who is said to have come from Wil- 
liamsburg. There we can rest and feast at the 
same time.” 

Now that he had spoken, I remembered having 
heard that one William Crosby, a trader of some 
means in Williamsburg, had gone into the wil- 
derness to make a plantation, and many there 
were who predicted he would lose his scalp before 
harvesting the first crop, for it was said he had 
settled so near the unfriendly Indians as to tempt 


THE WAR-PARTY. 237 

them to pay him a visit at the first sign of 
trouble in any direction. 

The idea of making a long halt in a dwelling 
among civilized people was so pleasing, that, 
weary though I had believed myself, I readily 
agreed to his proposal. 

With the dawn of day, clouds began to cover the 
sky, and while I was yet speculating whether it 
could be possible to have another storm after the 
many days of rain and snow, the white fiakes com- 
menced to fall. 

We shall need a good shelter this day,” Eun- 
ning Deer said as he looked about him. Much 
snow will come this time, and a camp in the wil- 
derness would soon be buried.” 

Indians are generally good weather prophets ; 
but I laughed at such a prediction, saying in my 
folly : 

‘^It has snowed or rained thirty-eight days out 
of forty-five, and the sun must shine a portion of 
the time.” 

‘^His face will be covered for many days yet,” 
the young Delaware replied in a tone of convic- 
tion, and I held my peace, counting on laughing 
at him a few hours later when it had been seen 
that his storm was no more than a wind flurry. 

I plodded on behind the horse, clutching at his 


238 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


tail to prevent myself from falling, for my legs 
were so weary that it seemed impossible I could 
move one before the other ; but holding up be- 
cause the allurements of resting in the same house 
with white people were so entrancing. 

I was like to have given over the attempt, how- 
ever, before this last stage of the journey was 
come to an end, although perhaps my limbs 
might have served me better had I known how 
long this coming halt was to be. 

When, finally, we arrived within sight of the 
plantation buildings surrounded by a stockade so 
stout that it might well have been called a fort, I 
sank down absolutely exhausted, and Running 
Deer helped me to the back of the horse, other- 
wise I might have lain there in the storm within 
sight of people ready and eager to extend hospi- 
tality. 

When we entered the gate, which had been 
opened at our approach, the first person I saw 
was none other than Master Van Braam, and 
near him stood Master McQuire. 

A meeting with them, whom I believed to be 
many miles further on, was so unexpected that I 
closed my eyes, believing myself beset by fever ; 
but opened them very quickly when the man serv- 
ant Steward said as he helped me from the horse ; 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


239 


‘‘ The major must have come to grief, else you 
would not he here in company with the Delaware 
whom we left at Venango.” 

Then it was that astonishment overpowered 
bodily exhaustion, and, turning to Master Mc- 
Quire, I asked : 

Did you turn back to look for us ? ” 

“Turnback, lad? Nothing of the kind. We 
came across this plantation of Master Crosby’s 
when the horses had given out entirely. It was 
hardly a pleasant outlook to push on afoot, not 
overly well acquainted with the trail, therefore, 
like wise men, we decided to stop here till the 
beasts gathered flesh enough to carry us into the 
colony.” 

“And while you were living in plenty I came 
back over the trail alone to give you succor,” I 
said in a tone so reproachful that all who heard 
me burst out laughing. 

Then Master Crosby came forward as he said 
jovially : 

“ Get into the house, lad, you and the Indian. 
We’ve there what is more to my liking than this 
wind which goes to one’s marrow, and snow that 
freezes. You can talk to your heart’s content be- 
fore the storm comes to an end, for there’s prom- 
ise of bad weather.” 


240 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

We went into the long apartment of the main 
building which served as kitchen, living and din- 
ing room, and there before a glowing fire which 
was built in a place of rocks and clay large enough 
to have served me as a camp, I looked around at 
the faces which I had thought never to see again. 

The Dutchman, as was his wont, occupied the 
snuggest corner beside the fire, and near him sat 
the host with his two sons. On the opposite side, 
as if refusing to claim the interpreter of French 
as a comrade, were the two traders and the serv- 
ing men, all of whom looked sleek and contented, 
as well they might in such quarters. 

Did you count on settling down here forever ? ” 
I asked, still in a daze of bewilderment because 
these men had brought their journey to so sudden 
an end, for they could not have made more than 
one day’s march after we left them. 

“ They took my advice, as sensible men would, 
and decided to wait here till it was possible to go 
on with something like comfort,” the host inter 
rupted. “ Their horses are getting into condition 
to carry them, and when they set out, it will be to 
ride the entire distance from here to Will’s Creek, 
when you may say they are well within the bor- 
ders of Virginia colony.” 

Eunning Deer, who was lying on a bearskin by 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


241 


my side, looked as if he believed it was the part of 
wisdom to halt in such a rest-inviting place ; but 
to me it seemed like a total disregard of duty, for 
the orders had been to push on at the best possible 
pace. 

I was not the only curious one in that company, 
however. All my late companions were eager to 
learn how Major Washington had succeeded in 
his mission, and I was called upon to give an ac- 
count of our movements from the hour we parted. 

This I did, going into all the details with the 
result that it was late before the story came to an 
end, and by that time every person in the room, 
even including the Dutchman, looked with kindly 
eye upon the young Delaware who had proven 
himself such a true friend. 

It was Master Crosby who proposed that we 
turn our attention to sleeping, aud when he went 
into a small room partitioned off from one end of 
the large apartment, we acted upon his suggestion 
by rolling over upon the generous supply of furs 
our host’s sons had spread down. 

The wind was howling dismally, and at times 
wreaths of snow came down the wide chimney 
only to be converted into water, thus telling that 
a fierce storm was raging. 

My eyes closed in slumber even as I asked my- 

i6 


242 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

self whether it would be possible for Eunning 
Deer and I to continue our journey next morning, 
for now I was determined to join Major Wash- 
ington as soon as possible, and when next I was 
conscious of anything a new day had dawned, 
although the darkness as of night yet filled the 
room. 

Master Crosby had just come in after an early 
visit to the stables, and his report of the weather 
answered the question I had asked myself just 
before slumber overtook me : 

‘‘ I have never seen the snow fall so fast. It is 
a man’s work to get from here to the stables be- 
cause of the drifts, and there will be neither com- 
ing to or going away from the plantation this 
day.” 

‘‘It will snow to-morrow the same,” Eunning 
Deer whispered in my ear. “We are like to stay 
here many days before one can make his way on 
the trail, and the Dutchman is with us. 

For the instant I gave little or no attention to 
the last portion of the young Delaware’s remark, 
so concerned was I at the idea that we were vir- 
tually imprisoned within the stockade, and I ques- 
tioned our host regarding affairs out of doors. 

- “ The snow is piled high against the doors and 

shutters ; the gate of the stockade is almost buried 


THE WAR-PARTY. 


243 


out of sight. You are my guest, lad, this many 
a day, for I predict that no one will he able to go 
or come until a thaw sets the land free.” 

It almost frightened me, as I began to realize 
that it might be dreary waiting before the snow 
was melted, and then like a flash came into my 
mind Kunning Deer’s words. 

He was shut in the stockade with his mortal 
enemy, and I knew the Delaware sufficiently well 
to believe that he would quail at nothing in order 
to work out his revenge. 


CHAPTEE XL 


UNTIL THE THAW. 

Master Crosby’s guests were soon astir after 
he had made his report as to the weather, and 
each in turn, with the exception of Master Yan 
Braam, seemed to think it absolutely necessary 
he should view the surroundings. 

When I, following the general example, stepped 
outside the threshold, I was amazed at the great 
and sudden change in the scene. Between the 
dwelling and the stables was a huge drift of snow 
many feet high, around which Master Crosby had 
been forced to walk in order to get at his live- 
stock, since it was too deep to admit of his wad- 
ing through. The gate of the stockade was com- 
pletely hidden from view, and one shod with snow- 
shoes might have walked directly over it. 

If this had made up the sum of the situation I 
should have said to myself that we could soon 
work our way out ; but the storm was yet raging 
furiously ; the icy particles blinded one’s eyes, 

and sifted into every fold of the clothing. 

244 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


245 


The most expert in woodcraft would have been 
bewildered in that swirling, fleecy mass which 
stung like needles and yet looked soft as wool. I 
question if Master McQuire, the most experienced 
of our company, could have advanced in a straight 
line for a distance of an hundred yards, even 
though he had been familiar with all the land- 
marks, therefore it can be understood that he who 
took to the trail would have risked his life with- 
out hope of making any headway whatsoever. 

Even if Eunning Deer and I had encamped in 
the thicket, with no covering save the boughs, I 
would have said we must remain in such place 
regardless of the danger that we might freeze, or 
be hopelessly buried until the storm had subsided. 

When I turned back into the living-room where 
the women folks were bustling about preparing 
breakfast, forced to work by the light of pine 
knots because the drifts of snow, covering the 
windows, shut out every ray of daylight, I under- 
stood that we were prisoners for a certain time at 
least, and resolved to put behind me all anxiety 
regarding the future in order to enjoy to the 
utmost that pleasant abiding-place. 

Master Van Braam, who had arisen from his 
bed of furs only to occupy the snuggest seat at one 
side of the fireplace, said when I approached, 


24:6 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

as if the situation was entirely satisfactory to 
him : 

We are like to be here many a day, Davidson.” 

‘‘Ay, and it seems to please you,” I replied in 
no amiable tone, for it irritated me to see the fat 
Dutchman giving himself so entirely over to in- 
dolence. 

“It is better here than on the trail, and one 
should be thankful because he has so good a shel- 
ter,” he said with a grin, whereat I retorted : 

“It may not be as pleasing to Master Crosby 
and his family, to care for a company of travelers 
when, if the storm holds much longer, they may 
run short of provisions.” 

“ They cannot fail to be pleased at having 
plenty of companionship when, otherwise, they 
would be lonely,” he said, and of a verity I believe 
he had persuaded himself that his society was of 
value to these settlers who were sharing the con- 
tents of their larder so generously with strangers. 

I looked at the man for a moment, wondering 
if he would ever tire of toasting his shins before 
a fire, and actually envying him his selfish happi- 
ness, until I chanced to glance at Eunning Deer, 
and then I said again to myself that if we were 
long held prisoners by the snow we would not all 
leave the stockade alive. 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


247 


The Delaware was crouching near the door like 
a panther making ready to spring, his eyes fast- 
ened upon the man who would have killed him 
but for me, and I believed he was, even then, 
considering how he might best work his re- 
venge. 

After the morning meal was come to an end, 
and the Dutchman had eaten the share of at least 
three men, I whispered to Eunning Deer that we 
would have a look at the stables, if for no other 
purpose than to stretch our legs. 

Master Crosby, understanding when we went 
toward the door what we would do, cautioned us 
to have a care even as we crossed the inclosure, 
lest we grow bewildered in the fleecy downpour, 
and such warning was not needless, for, as I soon 
learned, it was most difficult to hold one’s senses 
to their proper work. 

Never before nor since have I seen such a rag- 
ing storm with so much of snow accompanying 
it. I had heard of the colonists in Massachusetts 
being literally buried for weeks at a time ; but 
until that morning I had believed such stories to 
be no more than travelers’ tales. Now I could 
well understand how readily a strong man might 
unwittingly venture within the clutch of death. 

Although the distance could not have been 


248 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

more than an hundred yards as we circled around 
the huge drifts of snow in the middle of the in- 
closure, Eunning Deer and I were a full half hour 
in gaining the stables, and then we were breath- 
ing heavily as if after an exceeding hard race. 

We found the horses warmly sheltered, and ap- 
parently enjoying themselves after the same fash- 
ion as was the Dutchman. The animals which 
were so nearly dead when Major Washington 
abandoned them, now looked fit for any journey, 
and I said to Eunning Deer in a tone of satisfac- 
tion : 

‘‘When it becomes possible to set out toward 
Will’s Creek once more, we shall be able to ride 
at our ease.” 

“We have not started yet,” the Delaware re- 
plied meaningly, and I understood the same as if 
he had said that we were like to remain a long 
while. 

There was such a goodly store of provender in 
the stables that I knew Master Crosby could, if 
he felt so disposed, play the host for as long a 
time as we might be storm-bound, without im- 
poverishing himself, and I hoped that the house- 
wife’s larder might make the same generous 
showing. 

When we returned to the dwelling, after an 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


249 


absence of two hours, we found the men seated 
around the fire as if resting from a long march. 

The Dutchman was sending up great wreaths of 
tobacco smoke from a curiously fashioned Indian 
pipe, which I rightly concluded was the property 
of his host, and several of the company were aiding 
him in filling the room with the noisome vapor. 

Running Deer and I made no effort to get places 
within the circle, but remained outside near where 
the women folks 'were working, and at every 
favorable opportunity I aided in the household 
tasks, for it seemed to me the height of selfishness 
for the men to take their ease while the young 
girls and their mother were toiling simply to fill 
the stomachs of strangers. 

Because of the short time at my disposal, which 
is evidently limited now that rumors are floating 
in the air of our breaking camp here at Valley 
Forge to attack the Britishers, it is not possible 
for me to set down a record of each day’s doings 
while we remained at Master Crosby’s plantation, 
for it was early spring before we took our de- 
parture. 

I must content myself with mentioning the 
most important events, and he who reads, if indeed 
this poor apology for a story ever has a reader, 
must picture to himself our company seated 


250 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


around the generous fireplace day after day, talk- 
ing of this or of that in our small world until 
every topic was worn threadbare. 

The storm continued with but little change for 
four days, and then the stockade was so nearly 
buried that one might have passed near at hand 
without observing the huge posts which stood 
not less than twelve feet above the surface of the 
ground. 

At intervals all of us, save Master Van Braam, 
had labored with wooden makeshifts for shovels, 
to keep open a passage from the dwelling to the 
well and the stable, until, when the sun rose 
again, to pass from one of these points to the other 
we walked in narrow alleys, the icy walls of which 
rose far above our heads. 

Even with snow-shoes I question if we could 
have advanced many yards in either direction, 
for the tops of the trees were as bushes in the 
way, threatening to overturn or entangle any 
who ventured amid them. 

Probably I was, of all that company, the most 
impatient to gain one of the Virginia settlements, 
and yet I never dreamed of making the attempt, 
so certain was it that to get even outside the 
stockade was impossible. 

We were imprisoned now until, as Master Crosby 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


251 


had said, the thaw came, and even then many days 
must elapse before the floods would have subsided 
sufficiently for us to cross the streams. The 
smallest creek would be a raging torrent when 
all that weight of snow was dissolved into water, 
and the rivers would be oceans, so that one might 
probably be able to traverse all the valleys in the 
wilderness only in boats. 

I thought again and again of the preparations 
which we had seen made at Venango for the de- 
scent of the French upon the colony, and said to 
myself that this marvelous fall of snow was all in 
the favor of our enemies, who could descend the 
river in their stout boats on the top of the flood, 
while those on the lower levels would be held pris- 
oners even as was our company at Master Crosby’s 
plantation. 

As may have been expected, we at the stockade 
discussed all these matters in their various bear- 
ings, hour after hour, and the only person who 
had no comment to make was Eunning Deer. 
While the remainder of the company speculated 
as to what might be going on at the French post 
or the Virginia towns, he sat silently gazing at 
the Dutchman, reminding me much of a cat who 
fastens her eyes upon a mouse which she can 
catch whenever the fancy seizes her. 


252 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

During the first week or more I lived in constant 
fear lest the Delaware, regardless of the punish- 
ment which would speedily follow, should fall 
upon the interpreter of French, letting out his 
heart’s blood, and yet Eunning Deer did nothing 
with which one could reproach him, for it is not 
forbidden by the laws of the colony that an Indian 
shall look upon a Dutchman. 

It was during the beginning of our long tarry 
at the Crosby plantation that Master Van Braam 
behaved with civility, save in the matter of keep- 
ing to himself the best seat in front of the fire ; 
but when all subjects of conversation had grown 
stale, and every man of us was weary of inactivity, 
he began to show the more disagreeable side of 
his nature. 

He chose to exercise his supposed wit first on 
me, and I shut my teeth hard lest I make an angry 
reply ; but promising myself that the time should 
presently come when I would repay the lazy Dutch- 
man for his sneers. 

Then, finding that I was disposed to bear it in 
silence, he tried his tongue on Master McQuire, 
and during a portion of one afternoon made him 
the point of all his senseless quips, until the trader, 
losing patience, said sharply and decidedly : 

^^Hark you. Master Van Braam ! It is not to 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


253 


my liking to furnish amusement for such as you. 
Keep your tongue from me and my affairs, or at 
the next witty remark I shall rub your nose in 
the embers until it is blistered to twice its now 
unnatural size.” 

The Dutchman had sufficient sense to realize 
that the trader would do exactly as he had said, 
and kept a bridle upon his speech until the follow- 
ing day, when he selected Running Deer as the 
butt for his quips. 

It had been safer to trifle with Master McQuire, 
for by him the Dutchman would have been let off 
with nothing worse than a scorched nose ; while I 
knew full well the young Delaware would wipe 
out the insults in blood. 

With the hope of averting a tragedy I took 
Master McQuire aside, telling him of my fears, 
and begging that he would give Van Braam good 
advice ; but he refused to interfere, saying as he 
turned away from me with a laugh which had in 
it far more of malice than of friendly spirit : 

Let the idiot make his bed unaided. I will 
not so much as turn my hand to save him from 
whatsoever the young Delaware chooses to 
inflict.” 

Then it was that I beckoned Running Deer to 
follow me to the stables, and once there, where 


25 ^ WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


none might overhear our conversation, I urged, 
even begged him to pay no attention to anything 
the Dutchman might say. 

^^He shall use his tongue while it pleases him, 
for soon will it lie cold between his teeth,” the 
young Indian said in a low tone, which gave me 
far more cause for alarm than if he had spoken 
threateningly. 

‘^Surely you would not do harm to a man in 
the house of him who has treated you like a 
friend,” I said imploringly. 

‘‘You believe that an Indian cannot strike a 
blow openly ; but must use his knife in the dark 
because his skin is red,” he replied reproach- 
fully. 

“I am afraid you may lose your temper, and 
the deed will be done during a moment of anger, 
when punishment must follow.” 

“ Do not fear,” he said with a harsh laugh. 
“ The Dutchman will die ; but it shall be in the 
white man’s fashion.” 

Having thus spoken he returned to the house, 
as if eager to give YanBraam all the opportunity 
he wanted to fling insults, and I followed slowly, 
wondering as. to the meaning of his words. 

Nothing out of the ordinary occurred during this 
day, nor until another week had passed, and all 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


255 


the while the Dutchman amused himself by telling 
imaginary stories concerning the cowardice of the 
Delawares, knowing that in no other way could 
he more thoroughly arouse Eunning Deer, who 
saw cause for pride in every member of his 
tribe. 

We had been at the plantation of Master Cros- 
by’s a full four weeks before Van Braam’s per- 
sistent efforts bore fruit, and then the end came 
so suddenly as to surprise even me, who had 
been fearing something of the kind. 

The rain began to fall at sunrise that morning, 
and all our company hailed it as token that the 
thaw had come at last. 

We were all seated at one side of the huge 
living room, with the exception of the Dutchman 
who yet remained in his cosy corner, for the 
weather had grown so mild that the heat of the 
fire was too great, and Master Crosby had come 
to an end of the story of his labors in making the 
plantation, told for at least the tenth time, when 
Van Braam suddenly asked, looking full at Eun- 
ning Deer : 

‘‘ Did you have no trouble with the Indians ? ” 

‘‘Ay, some of the Tightwees, and a hunting 
party of Ottawas tried to make matters disagree- 
able ; but the boys and I soon convinced them 


256 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

that it would be safest to keep away from the 
stockade when the Crosby family was behind it.” 

What about the Delawares ? ” 

‘^They have ever been my good friends, as 
they yet are to the colonists of Virginia.” 

‘‘Do you believe they will hold true to the 
English if the French make war ? ” 

‘‘So long as Shingias and Half-King are alive, 
we need have no fear of them.” 

“The Delawares are women,” Van Braam said 
deliberately, gazing at Eunning Deer meanwhile 
as if in the hope of provoking an angry reply. 
“ They are afraid, like children, and hold to the 
Virginia colonists only because they dare not do 
otherwise ; but wait till the French have come 
down the river, and then you will see that those 
two old fools of sachems whom you believe so 
honest, are as arrant liars and knaves as can be 
found in the country.” 

No one spoke as Van Braam concluded his in- 
sult. Instinctively we knew the bow was bent to 
the point of breaking, and that the Delaware 
would not longer hold his speech. 

Yet Eunning Deer did not speak immediately, 
and Master Crosby took it upon himself to re- 
prove the Dutchman for his words. 

When he had finished, and before the interpre- 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


257 


ter of French could reply even had he been so 
disposed, the young Delaware arose slowly, 
straightened his body until he stood stalwart and 
firm like a young tree, gazing meanwhile at his 
tormentor as he said deliberately and slowly : 

It is you who are the liar, Dutchman ! You, 
the servant of the English, are the fool, the 
knave ! Before Shingias and Half-King you are 
as the dirt on their moccasins ! You are a hog, 
a pole-cat, a coward, and at the same time a lying 
idiot upon whom I spit ! ” 

Then, with his arms hanging by his side as if 
inviting a sudden attack, Eunning Deer stalked 
across the room and deliberately spat full in the 
Dutchman’s face. 

I remained like a statue, unable even to speak, 
much less move, but knowing all the while that 
the moment had come when Van Braam would 
pay the price of his insults, for it never entered 
my mind for a single instant that under any 
circumstances could the Dutchman worst the 
Delaware. 

The other members of the company afterward 
told me they were in much the same condition of 
mind ; but Master McQuire declared that from 
the first he hoped the young Indian would kill 
the senseless interpreter of French. 

W 


25S WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Although Van Braam had shown himself a 
coward more than once since joining Major 
Washington’s party, he had at this juncture a 
gleam of courage. 

Leaping to his feet, his fat face gleaming white, 
he would have rushed upon Kunning Deer with 
empty hands ; but the Delaware, drawing his 
knife, held him hack as he said : 

‘‘I have promised that this killing shall he in 
the white man’s fashion, for kill you I will, Dutch- 
man ! Dog ! Liar ! ” 

Master Croshy and McGuire had leaped forward 
when the interpreter sprang up ; but both fell back 
at Kunning Deer’s words, and Van Braam looked 
around him in perplexity, taking good care, how- 
ever, not to come within reach of the keen-edged 
knife. 

What do you mean ? ” he cried, and one could 
almost fancy that his lips were flecked with foam, 
so great was his rage. 

For many days you have been saying, al- 
though in other words, that one of us must die,” 
Kunning Deer replied calmly. I have held my 
tongue between my teeth while you spat your 
venom on me ; but now the time has come when 
I stand before you in the name of Shingias, and of 
Half-King ! He who fights best shall live ! ” 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


259 


you mean that you will fight me ? ” Van 
Braam shrieked, and I saw a gleam of satisfac- 
tion light up his face. 

^‘So that it be now — this hour, you shall 
have what you wish with which to guard your 
life.’’ 

A fair offer ! ” Master McQuire cried. The 
Delaware talks like a man, and I believe in his 
being allowed to settle this matter as he will. 
Van Braam has been free with his tongue for 
many days, and should now have a chance to 
show what he can do with weapons.” 

Master Crosby held his peace, and because of 
such silence I believed his sympathies were with 
Eunning Deer, as indeed would have been any 
honest man’s after listening to the insults Van 
Braam had heaped upon him. 

“ If I had my sword !” the Dutchman cried, 
and Master Crosby’s eldest son answered his wail 
by saying : 

have one here ; it was worn by my grand- 
father.” 

‘‘Let me have it! Let me have it!” the 
interpreter roared. “ This Indian cub shall get 
all he wants of the white man’s fashion of 
killing ! ” and there was upon his face an exult- 
ant look, for there were few in the colony, so I 


260 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

had heard it said, who could hold their own with 
him in fence. 

Then it was I found my tongue, and running 
forward I cried out, turning to one after another 
of the company : 

‘^It is not fair that Van Braam should hold a 
sword against Eunning Deer’^s knife. He is a 
fencing master ; he himself told me he had taught 
Major Washington the use of the blade, and in 
Williamsburg none will stand against him ! ” 

Master McQuire was about to interfere after I 
had spoken ; but the Delaware put an end to any 
squabbling by saying quietly : 

‘‘The lying Dutchman shall have what he 
wants, for it is to save his life. What matters a 
white man’s sword against an Indian’s knife, so 
that he who flings dirt at Shingias and Half -King 
wipes out the stain with his blood ? ” 

I had expected Master Crosby would do all that 
lay within his power to prevent a duel in his 
home ; but instead, he said as if the matter was 
settled beyond recall : 

“If it so be the Indian is satisfied, then we 
should not cry out. You may get the sword, my 
son.” 

Then it was that Van Braam began to look 
about him for the most advantageous position, 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


261 


believing, as indeed did I, that he was to fight there 
in the living-room, while Eunning Deer stood 
silent and motionless as if he had no interest in 
the coming encounter save that of a spectator. 

Master Currin, however, took it upon himself 
to stand as second for the Delaware, and said 
quite sharply, addressing himself to Master 
Crosby : 

“ If the two are to fight as gentlemen should 
under such circumstances, let it not be that one 
has an advantage over the other, more than will 
exist in choice of weapons. Is it to your mind 
that the matter shall be settled here ? ” 

By this time the women folks began to under- 
stand what was like to happen, and a great 
tumult arose, which may have had some infiuence 
upon Master Crosby’s decision, for he said after a 
brief pause, as if he had been turning the matter 
carefully in his mind : 

“We will go to the stable. The light is good 
there ; but first, in order that trouble may not 
come of this affair in the future, let me ask you 
all if it is agreed that it is beyond our power to 
prevent a duel ? ” 

“ There must be some blood spilled, or we shall 
have worse on our hands than a duel,” Master 
McQuire said quickly. “ The Indian cannot remain 


262 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

quiet after all that has been said since he came to 
this plantation, else would I, and all other right 
thinking men, set him down as a coward.” 

This remark settled the matter in the mind of 
our host, if indeed he had had any doubts, and 
from that moment the preparations for a duel 
went forward without delay. 

Young Crosby brought out what appeared to be 
a goodly blade, and Van Braam allowed a smile 
to play over his face as he bent it in his hands, 
whereupon Running Deer asked : 

“ It pleases you, that white man’s knife ? ” 

^^It will serve you, my Indian cub, and short 
time is necessary for me to find your heart,” the 
Dutchman replied brutally, and from that mo- 
ment I no longer had any pity for the cowardly 
interpreter of French, who could lounge before 
the fire while others performed his rightful share 
of the labor. 

Never for an instant did I even dream that 
Running Deer could succeed in killing Van 
Braam while the latter held a good blade in his 
hand ; but I believed that the Dutchman would 
not be able to cut the Indian down, therefore the 
matter would be no more than the spilling of bad 
blood, and I was confident the interpreter would 
get such a lesson as he deserved. 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


263 


Yet I would have given everything I held dear 
to have persuaded the Delaware to let the matter 
drop, although I should afterward have despised 
him for cowardice ; but at that time I could not 
bring myself to interfere because for the mo- 
ment he seemed suddenly to have risen in station 
far beyond my sphere. Just then he was the 
peer of his companions. 

A grand figure was the lad, as he stood there 
motionless as a statue, save for his eyes, which 
took in the lightest movement around him, as if 
the Indian feared some of the company might 
make a treacherous move, although he had good 
reason to believe that all, save alone the Dutch- 
man, were his friends. 

Master McQuire took it upon himself to conduct 
the affair, and, addressing himself to Master Cur- 
rin as if the latter had been a regularly appointed 
second in a duel among gentlemen, he proposed 
that they go to the stables, as Master Crosby had 
suggested, where the screaming of the women 
would not disconcert the principals in the bloody 
drama about to be enacted 

If you care to aid a brute like him, lead the 
Dutchman in advance,” Master Currin replied. 
“I will answer for it that the Delaware does not 
strike a blow until the word has been given ; 


264: WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

but I can hardly say as much for the inter- 
preter.” 

There will be no foul work done this day,” 
Master McQuire said meaningly, and then, touch- 
ing Van Braam on the arm, he motioned the 
Dutchman to follow him. 

The company marched out of the dwelling 
across the inclosure in a grave and orderly fash- 
ion ; had it been the governor of Virginia who 
was about to give Monsieur de St. Pierre the 
satisfaction of crossing swords with him, the pro- 
ceedings could not have been more decorous and 
according to rule. 

By throwing open the doors at each end of the 
building, the central floor of the stable given over 
to the housing of the horses, was thoroughly well 
lighted, and Master McQuire, marching Van 
Braam to the further end of this space, said cour- 
teously as he turned his man to face the company : 

Since the sun does not shine, I fancy there can 
be no choice of positions. Master Currin ; but if 
your man is particular, we will settle that matter 
in proper manner.” ^ 

‘‘Punning Deer gives Van Braam permission 
to stand wheresoever he pleases,” the trader said 
after a brief consultation with the young Indian. 
“The only thing which he insists upon is that 


UNTIL THE THAW. 


265 


once the word has been given, there shall be no 
halting or interference until one or the other is 
disabled.” 

The Dutchman nodded carelessly as if to say he 
was quite willing to agree to this, and cut and 
thrust at the empty air to show how dexterous he 
was in the use of the weapon. 

I, who had heard so much regarding Van 
Braam’s skill with the sword, knew that Eunning 
Deer must make the fight of his life if he would 
come off best ; but the Indian himself appeared 
to be the least interested person there. 

He was dressed much like all the company save 
Van Braam, in deer-hide hunting shirt and leg- 
gins, and, so far as I could see, had no other weapon 
than the knife which he had thrust back in his 
belt when we left the dwelling. 

The Dutchman wore a sort of uniform, the 
coat of which was doubled across his breast and 
ornamented with many buttons, forming, as it 
seemed to me, a very effective shield in such a 
contest as was about to begin. 

Master Currin also noted this arrangement of 
garment which gave to the bigger man a decided 
advantage, and would have insisted on its being 
taken off, but that Eunning Deer interrupted him 
impatiently as he exclaimed : 


266 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


shall do as he pleases from this moment. 
I care not that he covers his heart twice ; it is so 
small that I should fail of striking it if I tried. 
He lives only in his stomach, and I shall have no 
trouble in finding that.” 

Then Master McQuire, seemingly grown impa- 
tient because the duel was delayed, called out to 
know if the two were ready. 

Van Braam replied that he was, and Eunning 
Deer unsheathed his knife, the blade of which was 
no more than twelve inches long. 

‘‘ If the Dutchman can fence as Davidson says, 
he should have no trouble in running the Dela- 
ware through at the first lunge,” I heard Stew- 
ard whisper to Jenkins, and almost at the same 
instant Master McQuire gave the word for the 
battle to begin. 

Now the impassive look was gone from Eun- 
ning Deer’s face, and in its stead was come one of 
such ferocity as I had never before seen. He 
stood leaning slightly forward on his bent left 
'leg, his eyes fixed upon Van Braam with an in- 
tentness that was painful to witness, and his 
right hand, in which was the knife, held slightly 
behind his body. 

The interpreter had assumed a swordsman’s 
attitude, and was ready to parry or thrust as 



Step by step Van Braam moved toward his antagonist, who 
remained rigid as stone/ Page 267. 

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UNTIL THE THAW. 


267 


occasion required ; but I fancied that the expres- 
sion on the face of the Delaware shook his nerves 
not a little. 

Eunning Deer stood waiting for an attack, but 
making no sign of beginning one, and after I 
might have counted twenty, the interpreter ad- 
vanced, the point of his blade held out stiffly in 
front of him ; but I knew that behind the handle 
v^as a wrist of iron which could twirl the steel 
until it appeared to be a solid circle. 

Step by step Van Braam moved toward his an- 
tagonist, who remained rigid as stone, and then, 
with a suddenness which caused me to cry aloud 
because of sheer nervousness, the battle was 
ended. 

Eegarding Running Deer’s maneuver I can 
only say that it appeared to me as if he leaped in 
the air like a panther, coming down behind Van 
Braam’s guard, and on the instant blood oozed 
from the Dutchman’s coat as he slowly sank down, 
until his knees touched the floor, when the body 
toppled over sideways, where it remained motion- 
less. 

The fencing master, who had counted himself 
equal to any enemy when he held in his hand a 
sword, did not have time to make a single thrust 
before the death blow had been given, and I am 


268 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

inclined to believe with Master McQuire, who 
afterward said in my hearing, that ‘4nhis opin- 
ion the Dutchman did not know he was struck 
until he learned the fact in the next world.” 


CHAPTEK XII. 


AT will’s creek. 

Immediately he had delivered the fatal blow, 
Kunning Deer stepped back a dozen paces or more, 
and stood with folded arms as if waiting to hear 
whether any one would accuse him of foul play. 

As for the company who had witnessed the 
short duel, all stood literally paralyzed with as- 
tonishment, so lightning-like had been the move- 
ments of the Delaware, and a full minute elapsed 
before one among us recovered sufficient presence 
of mind to take any steps toward learning whether 
life yet remained in that inert mass which had so 
lately been aquiver with anticipations of victory. 

Then it was Master McQuire who stepped for- 
ward as if yet partially bewildered, and raised 
Van Praam’s head. 

There was little need for him to make further 
investigations, or to announce his opinion. 

We could all see that the interpreter was dead, 
and the ominous-looking stain on his coat told 
269 


270 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

that the Delaware’s knife had struck the heart 
fairly. 

Master McQuire stepped back and looked in- 
quiringly at Master Crosby, who hesitated before 
saying slowly : 

‘‘It was a fair fight. Van Braam believed he 
had the advantage by holding a sword, and since 
he allowed that any kind of an attack was per- 
mitted, the Delaware has kept well within his 
rights.” 

And the others nodded their heads in assent ; I 
alone remained motionless because the horror 
of it all was so strong upon me that I could not 
have raised my hand. 

When he understood that the spectators were 
not disposed to cast any blame upon him. Running 
Deer walked slowly across the inclosure to the 
house, and when we returned he was seated in 
one corner of the room, calm and impassive as if 
he alone of all that company had remained afar 
from any scene of excitement. 

Our host and Master McQuire took it upon them- 
selv^es to care for the lifeless clay, and the others 
of the party followed me, who was the first, after 
Running Deer, to leave the stable. 

During the remainder of that day, and for the 
next, there was no indulgence in story-telling or 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


271 


converse of a light nature. It mignt have been 
supposed that the frontiersmen, accustomed to 
scenes of violence, would have passed over the 
fatal duel as an incident ; but the fact that we had 
been shut up in the stockade with the man who 
was dead, for many days, and that the beginning 
of the end had come so suddenly, struck them 
more forcibly than even the massacre of an entire 
family would have done. 

Well, it is best that I hasten over the dreary days 
which followed before we were able to leave our 
hospitable refuge, and say that the snow held us 
prisoners until the first week in April, when we 
set out after such a long delay, on the return which 
should have been made many weeks before. 

Toward the last of March the anxiously expected 
thaw set in, and the entire wilderness was a 
raging flood, save where the hills and mountains 
upreared their heads like islands in a sea. 

As a matter of course we were forced to wait 
until the waters had in a measure subsided, and 
then was begun the tramp which we hoped would 
come to an end with our arrival at Williamsburg. 

It goes without saying that the horses were in 
fine condition for the journey ; we gave them 
plenty of exercise in the inclosure of the stockade 
during the last few weeks of our stay, in order that 


272 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

they might be hardened in a measure for the work, 
and when finally we set off it was like taking leave 
of old and tried friends, for we had been with 
Master Crosby and his family until it seemed as 
if they were of our own flesh and blood. 

Running Deer had not spoken of the duel since 
the moment when the interpreter fell dead, nor 
had either of us mentioned the subject in his 
hearing. 

When we made our preparations for departure 
he joined in the labor as if in his mind, at least, 
there was no possible reason why any plan, so far 
as he was concerned, should be changed because 
of what had occurred. 

He and I rode side by side when we set out, and 
at the beginning of the journey I asked if it was 
in his mind to go as far as Williamsburg with us. 

‘‘I will stand before your major,” he said 
gravely. ‘‘ If I went to my own village like one 
who would hide, then might the people of Virginia 
say that the Delawares had broken their promises 
by killing a white man, charging my deed upon all 
my tribe. Major Washington shall say that there 
is no longer peace between us, before I turn my 
back upon him.” 

All of which was to the effect that Running 
Deer held the English of Virginia in such high 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


273 


esteem, and considered himself so firmly bound by 
the treaty his people had made, that he intended 
to he adjudged by our commander for his share 
in the duel, before allowing the matter to rest. 

It struck me as strange that he should be so 
particular now in the matter of taking up the 
hatchet, or in seeming to do so, against the colo- 
nists, when at our first meeting after the journey 
began from Williamsburg, he was on the war- 
path against us. 

I set it down, however, to Half* King’s influence, 
and believed that sachem had given the young 
brave some very good advice, as I afterward came 
to know was the fact. 

Difficult indeed did we find it to advance, and 
three days out of every four were spent in building 
rafts to ferry the horses across swollen streams. 
I was of the opinion that it would have been wiser 
had the animals been left at Master Crosby’s set- 
tlement until the spring was well advanced. 

My advice in the matter was not asked, however, 
nor would it have been followed had I given it, and 
I labored with the others until nearly a month was 
spent in traversing a distance which, later in the 
year, we should have been able to cover in five or 
six days. 

Then we were come to Will’s Creek, where 

i8 


27.1: WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

awaited us a great surprise, and one which was 
the means of changing the whole course of my 
life. 

Major Washington was at this point with 
three companies of newly enlisted soldiers, num- 
bering in all about one hundred and twenty-five 
men, and war had been declared against the 
French — that war which has since been called the 
‘‘French and Indian war,” and, as all know, 
raged seven years before peace was declared. 

Our commander had arrived at this place the 
day before our company came in, and was quite 
as much astonished to meet us as we were to see 
him at the head of a small army. 

I was summoned to an interview first, prob- 
ably because I was the last to leave him, and if a 
connected account was to be given of the wander- 
ings of his escort, then must it begin with me. 

Therefore it was that 1 found myself forced to 
tell the story of the duel which resulted in Van 
Braam’s death, and this was a tale which I knew 
full well the major would not relish, for he had 
set his face sternly against such encounters. 

However, I acted the friend to Running Deer 
by telling in detail the provocation which the in- 
terpreter had given the Delaware, and by laying 
great stress upon the young Indian’s desire to 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


275 


stand honestly and squarely before the man whom 
he looked upon as his commander for the time 
being. 

When my story had been told no comments 
were made. Then I learned that the major ar- 
rived at Williamsburg on the 16th day of Jan- 
uary, having been absent on his mission eleven 
weeks, and suffered in that time as much of hard- 
ship as would ordinarily fall to a man’s lot in a 
year’s travel. 

One by one the other members of our party 
were called upon to give an account of his ex- 
periences, and when all had borne witness to the 
matter, Eunning Deer was summoned. 

What passed between our major and the Dela- 
ware, I never knew ; but the matter was settled 
satisfactorily to both parties, as I have every 
reason to believe, for the young Delaware has, 
since that day, followed our commander into 
danger and out again, and is here at Valley Forge 
doing better service with less complaint than the 
majority of us white men. 

That evening, when we were encamped in a 
brush hut which Steward and Jenkins set about 
building immediately we arrived, one of the newly 
enlisted soldiers, a friend of Master McQuire’s 
from Alexandria, gave us a reasonably clear ac- 


270 AVHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

count of all that had happened while we were 
held prisoners in the wilderness by the snow. 

Because of the fact that Master McQuire’s 
friend was not acquainted with all the particulars, 
and in order that there shall be no mistake in 
what is of importance if one would understand 
everything which had been done by our com- 
mander, I shall set down here what I have since 
seen printed in a book regarding the beginning 
of the war. 

‘‘ The intentions and movements of the French 
being now understood (by the report brought by 
Major Washington) Governor Dinwiddie thought 
the occasion demanded prompt and energetic 
action. He called his council together, and it 
was resolved to enlist two hundred men, with 
directions to march to the Ohio, and build one or 
two forts there before the French should be able 
to descend the river in the spring. 

‘^Washington was intrusted with the chief 
command of the troops, and he advised that Cap- 
tain Trent be given authority to enlist an hun- 
dred men among the traders and settlers, who 
should begin with all speed to build a fort at the 
Forks of the Ohio. 

“The major was ordered to Alexandria as a 
convenient situation for the rendezvous of the 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


277 


force, and for superintending the transportation 
of supplies and the cannon to be mounted in the 
new fort. 

‘‘ Messengers were despatched to the southern 
Indians, the Catawbas and Cherokees, inviting 
them to join in repelling a common enemy who 
had already engaged in their behalf the powerful 
nations of Chippewas and Ottawas. It was be- 
lieved that the Tightwees were ready to forsake 
the French because the latter had made more 
promises than they could well keep, and there 
was no question as to the friendship of the Dela- 
wares so long as such sachems as Shingias and 
Half-King were alive. 

When the Virginia Assembly met, they voted 
ten thousand pounds toward supporting the ex- 
pedition to the Ohio. The Carolinas also voted 
twelve thousand pounds. With this aid, and the 
promises of more. Governor Din widdie determined 
to increase the number of men to three hundred, 
to be divided into six companies. Colonel Joshua 
Fry, he who was one of Virginia’s Commissioners 
for making the treaty with the Delawares, was 
appointed to the command of the whole, and 
Major Washington was made lieutenant- colonel. 

‘‘To quicken the military zeal of the people, 
and give alacrity to the recruiting service, Gov- 


278 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

ernor Dinwiddie issued a proclamation granting 
two hundred thousand acres of land on the Ohio 
river, to be divided among the troops who should 
engage in the expedition, and releasing the same 
from quit-rents for fifteen years. One thousand 
acres were ordered to be laid off near the fort 
at the Forks of the Ohio, for the use of the 
soldiers doing duty there, to be called garrison 
lands. 

‘‘ Although but feebly sustained by their neigh- 
bors, the Virginians did not abate their exertions. 
The enlistments went on with considerable suc- 
cess. Colonel Washington continued his head- 
quarters at Alexandria till the beginning of 
April. Two companies had been collected at that 
place, with which he marched to Will’s Creek, 
where he arrived on the 20th, having been joined 
on the way by another company under Captain 
Stephen. The march was slow and fatiguing, on 
account of the roughness of the roads, and the 
difficulty of procuring wagons to convey the bag- 
gage.” 

That which I have copied out gives a better idea 
of the situation than could words of mine. It 
will be seen that Governor Dinwiddie understood 
the reply to his message by General de St. Pierre, 
as meaning war, and the colony was making ready 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


279 


for it, allowing that hostilities had already been 
begun by the advance of the French as far as 
Venango. 

It is hardly necessary for me to say that our 
company thoroughly discussed the situation in 
all its bearings during that first evening in camp. 

Before making ready for the night it was agreed 
that we should go in a body to Colonel Washing- 
ton next morning, and offer ourselves as recruits 
in whatsoever station he might choose to assign 
us, so that we remained together. 

This we decided upon in order to give Running 
Deer a fair chance ; he had the desire to serve 
with white men, instead of joining his tribe, and 
Master McQuire believed that if we did as was 
proposed, the Delaware would be accepted as a 
volunteer on the same footing as the others. 

Before we had made ready next morning for a 
visit to headquarters, a fugitive came into camp 
at full speed, and the manner of his arrival was 
such as to arouse the curiosity of all. 

On being stopped by the sentinels and carried 
before the captain of the guard, he demanded to 
be taken to headquarters without delay, declaring 
that he was the bearer of most important news, 
and, as can well be imagined, everything else was 
driven from our minds until, an hour later, 


280 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

when an explanation of his appearance at Will’s 
Creek was whispered around the encampment. 

The newcomer was Ensign Ward, of the com- 
pany under command of Captain Trent. 

This last named officer had raised his volunteers 
according to instructions ; marched them at once 
to the Forks of the Ohio, and set about building 
the fort. The work was well under way when 
Captain Trent and his lieutenant, with sixty men, 
set out on a scouting expedition because word had 
been brought in that a party of Ottawas was on 
the war-path heading for the nearly completed 
fortification. 

Ensign Ward was left in charge of the works, 
with forty-one men under his command, and on 
the second day a body of French troops descended 
the river from Venango, consisting of one thou- 
sand men, with no less than eighteen pieces of 
cannon, sixty batteaux and three hundred canoes. 

This force was under the command of one Cap- 
tain Contrecoeur, who called upon the colonists to 
surrender, threatening to take forcible possession 
of the fort without giving quarter, if his summons 
was not immediately obeyed. 

There was no alternative. The captain and 
lieutenant being absent. Ensign Ward acceded 
to the articles of capitulation, and gave up the 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 281 

fort, being allowed upon this consideration to 
retire with all his men. 

In the hope that Colonel Washington had ar- 
rived at the appointed rendezvous, he came with 
all speed to Will's Creek, pushing on in advance 
of his force that the news might be imparted 
without unnecessary delay. 

Now I will copy once more from the book which 
has printed in it the whole story of this campaign, 
as told from a military point of view, and then 
can be understood in what a situation our com- 
mander suddenly found himself : 

‘‘ To the little army under Colonel Washington, 
as yet amounting to no more than three small 
companies, this was a critical moment. They oc- 
cupied an outpost, beyond which there was no 
barrier to oppose the formidable French force on 
the Ohio. Even a detachment, well armed and 
disciplined, might surround and cut them off. 
Colonel Fry had not joined them, and the whole 
responsibility rested on the lieutenant-colonel. 

“ He instantly sent expresses to the Governors 
of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, setting 
forth his weak and exposed condition, and calling 
for reinforcements. He then held a council of 
war. Notwithstanding the dangers that threat- 
ened on every side, it was resolved to push boldly 


282 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

into the wilderness, to clear and prepare the road 
as they advanced, and, if possible, to penetrate to 
the Monongahela at the mouth of Eedstone 
Creek, there to erect a fortification. The soldiers 
would thus be employed, their apprehensions 
quieted, the bane of idleness avoided, and a 
way opened for the march of the troops in the 
rear.” 

During four and twenty hours after the arrival 
of Ensign Ward our commander was so entirely 
engaged with serious matters that we, who 
counted on offering our services, could not get 
speech with him, therefore we remained quietly 
in the camp of boughs, determined to wait as 
long as might be necessary in order to accomplish 
the enlistment in a proper manner. 

It was after the council of war had been held, 
and Master McQuire was making the proposition 
that we ask one of the captains to get for us an 
interview, when we saw the commander with 
head bent and hands clasped behind him, walking 
slowly toward where we were encamped. 

Our time had come, and we could not have 
asked for a better opportunity. With one accord 
we urged Master McQuire to act as spokesman, 
and he stepped out just as the commander had 
arrived opposite our shelter. 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


283 


Colonel Washington greeted the trader cor- 
dially, and after speaking on ordinary matters a 
moment, Master McQuire made known our de- 
sires, stating boldly that we were of the mind to 
enlist in a body to the end that Kunning Deer 
should have equal chance with us. 

‘‘ I can well understand your desire to be to- 
gether,” our commander said with one of his rare 
smiles, and it is well that you hold by the Dela- 
ware, since he cast in his lot with yours when at 
least two sachems of his tribe had given proof of 
favoring the French. You may enlist as an inde- 
pendent body of scouts, if it so please you. Mas- 
ter McQuire shall be in command, and Steward 
and Jenkins will attend to the camp duties. 
Your horses and general equipment belong to 
the colony, and it is only necessary that you be 
sworn into service in due form.” 

If the colonel had cudgeled his brain for a week 
trying to devise some method of rewarding us 
who had accompanied him through the wilder- 
ness, he could not have hit upon anything which 
would have given more pleasure. The hardships 
which we had endured, and the dangers we had 
confronted in company, bound us together more 
firmly than the most exacting oath could possibly 
have done, and I for one was inclined to thank 


284 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

the Frenchmen for giving us an opportunity to 
remain close comrades. 

In order to wind up the business at once, for, 
threatened as we were by the enemy, a call to 
arms might be heard at any moment, the colonel 
administered with due form the oath of fealty to 
the king and the colony, after which we were sup- 
posed to be regular soldiers, although I dare ven- 
ture to say that never one of us could have taken 
the first step in the manual of arms. 

Then our commander, hinting that the entire 
force might break camp next morning, and ex- 
plaining how we should proceed to draw such ra- 
tions as the colony provided for her defenders, 
went his way, leaving us at liberty to congratu- 
late each other upon the satisfactory position 
which we occupied with the army.” 

Eunning Deer, in common with all of his kind, 
was not given to making any very great display 
when pleased with affairs generally ; but on this 
morning he came nearer exhibiting signs of joy 
than I had ever known of his doing. He had 
been made the equal of his white companions so 
long as we should serve under Colonel Washing- 
ton, and such fact he knew would, in addition to 
the satisfaction he himself derived from it, give 
great pleasure to Half -King. 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


285 


And now that I am come to that portion of my 
story when I became a soldier in name if not in 
training, the details must be hurried over in order 
that there be both time and space in which to tell 
of the serious work connected with this, the first 
campaign in the long, bloody war that followed. 

On the day after our company was made a por- 
tion of the little army, the troops were set in mo- 
tion on what proved to be a most tedious march, 
for trees were to be felled, bridges made, marshes 
filled up, and rocks removed in order to render 
possible the passage of our baggage train. 

The progress was no more than a single mile 
on the first day, and when one saw for himself 
the obstacles to be overcome, such an advance 
really seemed quite rapid. 

Before going on with a record of how we fought 
the wilderness inch by inch as we pressed onward 
toward where the enemy might be found, it is 
well that I explain why our commander made no 
effort to retake the fort at the Forks of the Ohio, 
and also why I have failed to set down an account 
of what befell the company which was captained 
by Master Trent. 

A council of war was held by Colonel Washing- 
ton and his principal officers very shortly after 
Ensign Ward came into the encampment with 


286 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

his startling information, and it was decided, 
quite properly as I viewed the matter, that it 
would be little less than folly to make any attempt 
at retaking the fort ; certainly not until after 
Colonel Fry with the remainder of the army had 
joined us. Even then, unless the ensign had 
allowed his fears to distort the facts, we would 
be in no wise a match for the enemy, since one 
could not truly say that the French had weak 
stomachs for fighting. 

As for the colonists who were said to be close 
upon Ensign Ward’s heels, striving to gain the 
encampment lest the enemy take it into his head 
to pursue, they were all men well versed in wood- 
craft, and fully able to take care of themselves, 
therefore it would have been a waste of time and 
labor to sent out a squad to escort them in, yet 
they had not made an appearance at the end of 
our second day’s laborious march, and the gen- 
eral belief was that they had been so thoroughly 
alarmed by the capture of the fort as to lose their 
heads for the time being. As a matter of fact, it 
was many days before we saw them all. 

The men under Colonel Washington’s com- 
mand advanced upon the many and serious ob-- 
stacles which nature had placed in their path, with 
courage and industry worthy a better enemy ; but 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


287 


before a week had passed the rations began to 
grow scanty, and shortly afterward the supply of 
bread failed entirely. 

We had arrived at the bank of the Youghio- 
gheny river when the provisions ran so low that 
every man among us felt the pangs of hunger 
most sensibly. 

At this point it was necessary to build a bridge 
of considerable strength in order to admit of our 
advance, and at the same time leave open a way 
of retreat should we find the enemy too strong 
for our small force. 

It was impossible the men could work with- 
out food, and the officers having charge of the 
commissary department, who were really to be 
blamed for the condition of affairs, went back to 
hasten forward the supplies. 

The bridge-building progressed as rapidly as 
could be expected when the laborers were suf- 
fering from lack of food, and during this time of 
delay our commander resolved to learn whether 
it might not be possible for the troops to sail down 
the river, as some of the enlisted men declared 
was the case. 

Our independent company, as we were pleased 
to call ourselves, was ordered to take the com- 
mander on the short voyage of exploration, and 


288 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Eunning Deer, who claimed to be familiar with 
the river, volunteered to act as pilot ; but he de- 
clared at the outset that loaded boats could not 
make the passage without encountering the hard- 
ship of carrying the entire outfit around the shoals 
and rapids, which would cost much more severe 
labor than an advance through the woods. 

To me was left the task of making ready a 
boat, and I stored it with all I could get in the 
way of provisions, determined that our com- 
mander should have a full stomach no matter how 
hungry the rest of us might be. 

Masters McQuire and Currin, with Eunning 
Deer and myself, made up the crew, and early the 
next morning we set out on a voyage which was 
continued for thirty miles, when we arrived at a 
series of rapids which rendered further progress 
in a boat impossible. 

We had, however, learned that it would be out 
of the question to attempt a passage by water, 
for the river was choked by rocks and shoals 
during nearly the entire distance over which 
we passed. 

At the close of the first day’s voyaging we en- 
camped on the river-bank in most comfortable 
fashion, and next morning began the return jour- 
ney, when we were forced to labor energetically 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


289 


during every moment of daylight, until seventy 
hours were spent in going over the same distance 
which we had made with the current in one- 
seventh of that time. 

When, finally, we rejoined the army, it was to 
find that the bridge across the Youghiogheny 
was completed, and Our people had advanced three 
miles or more on their weary way. 

And we returned in good time, for as we 
stepped out of the canoe a Delaware was seen com- 
ing toward us, and on meeting Colonel Washing- 
ton he halted respectfully until our commander 
addressed him. 

As a matter of course, I was called upon to act 
as interpreter, and that which the Indian told me 
brought the cold chills of fear to my spine. 

He had come as a messenger from Half-King, 
who was then with a party of braves near the 
Monongahela river, with the information that a 
large company of French was marching down to 
meet us with hostile intent. The friendly sachem 
declared that the enemy outnumbered us nearly 
two to one, and announced his intention of join- 
ing us without loss of time. 

The messenger had hardly more than finished 
delivering his budget of news, when another Del- 
aware arrived, having been sent from Half -King’s 

19 


2,?0 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

camp six hours later than the first Indian, and he 
brought word that the enemy was at that time 
within fifteen miles of the sachem’s camp. 

‘‘ Then we can reckon on seeing the Frenchmen 
within four and twenty hours,” Master McQuire 
said in a low tone to Currin, ‘‘ and weVe scant 
time in which to prepare for their reception.” 

That our commander was of the same opinion 
could be seen after he had dismissed the mes- 
sengers with presents of money, for he said to the 
traders, speaking hurriedly : 

‘‘Do you know of a convenient place near at 
hand where we can meet these gentlemen who 
propose to wrest the country from its rightful 
owners ? ” 

Master McQuire and Currin conferred together 
a few moments, during which time the com- 
mander sent Eunning Deer to the officers who 
had been left in charge of the troops, to inquire 
if the commissaries had yet supplied us with 
bread. 

Then it was that Master McQuire said deci- 
sively : 

“You must get your troops to a place called 
the Great Meadows, if you count on throwing up 
any breast-works. There you can dispose of the 
men as best pleases you.” 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


291 


And how far away are these meadows ? ” 

“Perhaps three miles.” 

Colonel Washington hastened forward to where 
his officers had halted, and without parley ordered 
that the troops he urged on at full speed to the 
meadows, traveling by night as well as day, at 
the same time enjoining upon them the necessity 
of moving the cannon and the baggage with 
equal swiftness. 

Then it was that Punning Deer came up with 
word that the men were now well supplied with 
provisions, the commissaries having joined the 
force four and twenty hours previous. 

By some means our people knew, almost as soon 
as did the commander, that the enemy was near 
at hand, and no spur was needed to urge them 
to extraordinary exertions, for all understood 
that if we were attacked in the forest, before 
preparations had been made for defense, the 
French would make short work of us. 

I wish it were possible for me to paint with a 
pen the picture which presented itself from this 
moment until we were arrived at the place spoken 
of by the traders. 

Every man worked to the utmost of his 
strength, and without heed to fatigue, for he was 
laboring to save his own life, and the unwieldy 


292 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

carts were forced onward over swamp or ledge 
that would have appeared, two hours before, to 
he impassable until after much time had been 
spent in clearing the way. 

Foremost of the force marched fifty men hew- 
ing trees and hauling the timbers out of the path ; 
then came twenty with shovels and picks to 
smooth in some slight degree the most difficult ^ 
places. The remainder of the small army tugged 
and strained at the carts and wagons, pulling and 
hauling with the horses, and our advance was so 
rapid, as compared with the manner in which we 
had been moving, as to seem almost wonderful. 

Never a man shirked at that time ; there was 
no distinction of rank ; Colonel Washington’s 
shoulder was at the wheels of the vehicles as 
often as was that of the lowest camp follower, 
and every officer in the troop followed his example. 

The result of so much industry was that we 
came out into a vast field, which had been given 
the name of Great Meadows,” at least four and 
twenty hours before the most sanguine had be- 
lieved the journey could be accomplished ; but 
even then no man was allowed opportunity to rest, 
save as he might do so while eating his rations. 

Bushes were to be cleared away, intrenchments 
thrown up, and the cannon mounted. We were 


AT WILL’S CREEK. 


293 


to put ourselves in the best possible position for 
defense, and in the shortest time, therefore, as 
during the forced march, every person was called 
upon to do his utmost. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 

I HAVE seen a printed description of Great Mead- 
ows, which it may be well to set down here, since 
I cannot hope to give in my own words as clear 
an account of the place where we suffered defeat, 
but without di^onor. 

‘^The Great Meadows, where Fort Necessity 
was built, is a level bottom, cleft by a small creek. 
Around it are hills of a moderate height and 
gradual ascent. The bottom is about two hun- 
dred and fifty yards wide where the fort was 
erected. It was a point well chosen, being about 
one hundred yards from the upland or wooded 
grounds on one side, and about an hundred and 
fifty on the other. The creek afforded water for 
the fort. On the side nearest the wood were three 
entrances, protected by short breast- works or bas- 
tions. The site of this fort is three or four hun- 
dred yards south of what is now called the Na- 
tional Road, four miles from the foot of Laurel 
Hill, and fifty miles from Cumberland, at WilPs 
Creek.” 


294 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 


295 


It is not my purpose to spend many words in 
telling of what we did after arriving at the spot 
where it had been decided to throw up an intrench- 
ment, that we might be able to hold our own 
against the great force which Half-King declared 
was marching against us. 

One can well fancy that every man, including 
the officers, labored industriously and without 
cessation until the rude fortification was reared, 
and then by general agreement* we called the 
earth- works Fort Necessity,” for of a verity the 
mother of invention” had demanded its erection. 
Inside the embankment we erected rude huts 
to shelter us from the sun by day and the dew at 
night, as if we counted on remaining there many 
days, and our ‘^independent company” had hut 
just completed its quarters when Colonel Wash- 
ington came up, without ostentation, but much 
as any comrade might have done. 

Calling Master McQuire aside he spoke with 
him privately a few moments, and then turned 
away, leaving the remainder of our company in a 
fine state of curiosity regarding the reason for the 
visit. 

We are to go out on a scout, and mounted,” 
Master McQuire said carelessly, as if to such as 
we had proved ourselves to be, a dangerous duty 


296 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

was of but little moment. ‘‘ From the messages 
sent by Half-King, it is certain a large body of 
Frenchmen are near at hand, and now has come 
the time when their whereabouts should be 
known exactly.” 

If that which I have already written has been 
understood by whosoever may have read it, there 
is little need for me to say that I am not given to 
bloodthirstiness, and yet the information that we 
were to go in search of the enemy filled me with 
pleasure, for I had become heartily tired of hand- 
ling a pick and shovel. 

Kunning Deer’s eyes glistened when Master 
McQuire spoke, and I knew full well there was in 
his heart the thought that now was come the 
time when he might prove his right to be held on 
an equality with white comrades. 

I believe that all of us would have been better 
satisfied had the word been given to set out on 
foot, for then might more complete work be done ; 
but it was not for us to take exception to any 
order issued by our commander, more especially 
after he had shown so thoroughly that he was a 
master in such tasks as the colony of Virginia 
had given him to do. 

Whether Colonel Fry would please us as well, 
when he took the chief command, was a question 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. ^97 

we had often asked each other, and we burned 
with the desire to forward the work so far as 
possible before that officer should arrive, in order 
that our leader might be given the more credit. 

While Master McQuire selected the horses from 
among the sorry lot of animals which were worn 
to skeletons by hauling baggage wagons and can- 
non through the forest, and our own steeds that 
had been put in such good condition during the 
long halt at Master Crosby’s plantation were forced 
to share the arduous labor with the others, the 
remainder of our company made ready the arms 
and ammunition, not forgetting a scanty supply 
of rations in event of being absent from the fort 
longer than was contemplated by the orders. 

An hour before sunrise we were prepared to set 
out, and from the expression on the faces of those 
few who gazed at us as we rode slowly away from 
the fortification, it could be understood that none 
envied us the distinction of being thus selected as 
scouts ; but we were well pleased at the opportu- 
nity to be of particular service. 

Having traveled so long in company it was well 
known to each that the others might be depended 
upon to do full duty, therefore no plan of action 
was decided upon. 

We were simply to learn where the enemy could 


298 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

be found, and this would require no little skill in 
woodcraft, because of the fact that doubtless in 
advance of the force were Ottawas and Tightwees 
in considerable numbers. 

Master McQuire led the way, as was his right 
since the colonel had named him our leader, and 
the remainder of the party followed close behind 
at a walk. 

Until the day dawned we moved at a snail’s 
pace, for we were not minded to stumble over the 
enemy in the darkness ; but when it was possible 
to distinguish surrounding objects clearly Master 
McQuire urged his horse into a trot, and we rode 
five of six miles before drawing rein. 

Then it was that Indian signs could be plainly 
seen, and we knew the time had come for real 
work. 

The horses were led into a thicket and hobbled, 
and Eunning Deer and myself ordered to circle 
around the halting-place with the idea that we 
might succeed in coming across a trail which 
could be followed with advantage. 

The thought came into my mind as we set out 
that it was useless to send us both on such an er- 
rand ; the Delaware was so far my superior in 
the work that I should be forwarding matters 
by keeping close at his heels, because that which 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 299 

might be a blank to me was as a printed book to 
him. 

Eunning Deer understood this quite as well 
as did I, and it pleased him because I was free 
to admit the fact ; but he would not suggest that 
it might be better for him to take charge of the 
business, therefore I said, as if there could be but 
one opinion on the subject : 

‘‘It is for you to lead the way ; I can do little 
more than stand by to give assistance in case it 
may be needed.” 

“ If it is Ottawas we have to do with, you have 
a full share of the work, for their trick is to let 
an enemy get in advance that they may strike 
from behind. Keep twenty paces distant, and 
have your eyes open for the skulkers.” 

As he had said so I did, and in such order we 
went forward slowly and cautiously, for one could 
readily see that the enemy had been in the vicinity 
but a short time previous. There were bold trails 
standing out plainly here and there as if several 
Indians had been searching the ground closely, 
and I was mightily puzzled to understand the 
meaning of so much traveling back and forth. 

We began circling around the halting-place 
when we were fifty yards or more from it, there- 
fore must of necessity cover considerable ground 


300 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


before returning to the starting-point, and Run- 
ning Deer took up the task as if it was one of sweet 
pleasure. 

When we had advanced perhaps an hundred 
yards it was no longer possible to see the network 
of trails which had caused the halt, and I said to 
myself that if the Delaware was wise he would 
lessen the circle, because of the probability that 
we were moving directly away from our enemies, 
if, perchance, any yet remained in that vicinity. 

So positive was I of this that I quickened the 
pace slightly, intending to advise him to turn 
back, when suddenly I saw what was hardly more 
than a shadow flit across my line of vision. 

We had come upon the enemy when I believed 
there was no longer any danger, and from that 
moment, so I said to myself. Running Deer’s skill 
in woodcraft should never be questioned by me. 

Now was my work cut out, and extremely 
difficult did it appear. I could not call aloud to 
warn my comrade, else might I have brought 
down an overwhelming number of foes, and it 
would be impossible to join him without coming 
in contact with the fellow w’ho sneaked along 
behind, intent on murder. 

It was my duty to remove the danger which 
hung close about Running Deer, and yet do so 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 301 

in such a fashion that an alarm might not be 
given. 

I crept forward rapidly, straining my eyes and 
ears as only a man can when he knows that if 
one or the other play him a trick his life will pay 
the forfeit, and yet never a glimpse could I get of 
that skulker. 

The cold sweat of fear and anxiety burst from 
every pore of my skin, for I knew full well that 
even while I was thus vainly searching, the knife 
or the hatchet which was to take Eunning Deer’s 
life might be uplifted. 

We had left our muskets at the place where 
the horses were halted, for on such work as that 
assigned to us a noisy weapon might be more 
dangerous than serviceable, and I had only a hunt- 
ing knife with which to make an attack. 

It seemed to me that never was I more clumsy 
or slow than when so much depended upon my 
movements, and but little was needed just then 
to make of me as veritable a coward as Master 
Van Braam had ever shown himself. 

What perplexed me most sorely was that with 
all my efforts I could not come up with the Dela- 
ware, and I was beginning to believe that in my 
stupidity I had passed him, when the noise as of 
a struggle among the underbrush caused me to 


30^ WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

leap forward as does a horse when the spurs are 
struck deep into his flank. 

Just at that point the foliage was so dense that 
one could not distinguish objects half a dozen 
paces in advance, and I was forced to plunge for- 
ward swiftly at the risk of literally stumbling 
over those who were fighting silently for life itself. 

A thicket of small spruce bushes appeared to 
be the screen which hid from view the combat- 
ants, and I was in the act of running blindly into 
it when something — I cannot even to this day 
guess what gave the warning — caused me to 
glance suddenly behind me. 

There, not more than three paces distant, was 
an Ottawa Indian advancing with upraised 
hatchet, and but for the quick turn caused by in- 
stinct, if you will, my life would have paid the 
forfeit of carelessness. 

Like a flash of light came to me an understand- 
ing of the situation. 

This Indian confronting me was the one whose 
shadow I had seen, and Running Deer was grap- 
pling with a new foe whom he had come upon while 
the other was dogging his footsteps. I had over- 
run my man, who, pursuing the tactics of his 
tribe, had allowed me to pass that he might strike 
from behind. 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 


303 


It can readily be understood that I did not waste 
even the slightest fraction of time in speculating 
upon how the situation had, come about. The 
thoughts I have just set down darted through my 
mind as the lightning flashes, and at the same 
second I leaped forward, swerving quickly aside 
in order to escape the blow which I knew full 
well would be dealt almost instantly. 

Nor was I mistaken as to what the Ottawa 
would do. As I sprang toward him he hurled 
the weapon, and but for the fact of my having 
swerved from the direct course, my portion of 
the battle would have been ended in a twinkling. 

As it was, however, by practicing the trick 
which had been taught me by the Delawares, I 
bent my body low as I leaped forward, and came 
up inside his guard, much as Running Deer had 
done when he fought Master Van Braam. 

Immediately he flung the hatchet at my head 
the Ottawa drew his knife, as I knew he would 
do, and when he raised his hand for the blow 
which he counted would put an end to me, my 
shoulder was beneath his arm in such fashion that 
he could not use his hand. 

I had him gripped firmly, in a manner which 
rendered him powerless for evil ; but of more than 
that I could not boast. 


304 WHEN WASHINGTON SEEVED THE KING. 

It was impossible for me to use a weapon with- 
out first relaxing my hold of the Indian, and I 
knew too well that instantly I did so his knife 
would find its way between my ribs. 

Therefore it was we remained locked in each 
other’s embrace, neither able nor daring to strike 
a blow, and just beyond, from the midst of the 
thicket, came the sounds of Running Deer’s 
struggle. 

It was impossible for me to so much as guess 
whether the Delaware or his adversary had the 
best of the fight ; but I knew only too well that 
unless he came off victor my fate was sealed. 

The Ottawa whom I was embracing must have 
understood much the same as I, and there we 
stood, straining every muscle to hold the other 
firmly, as we waited for the death which must 
surely come to one of us. 

The agony of suspense was great ; it was only 
by calling into play all my will power could I 
keep my mind from the possibilities, for once I 
came to believe that Running Deer might be 
worsted, the full power of strength would leave 
me, being banished by fear. 

The Delaware afterward told me that he could 
not have fought with his foe more than one full 
minute, and yet it seemed to me as if at least half 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 


305 


an hour passed before I heard a deep groan, which 
told that one or the other of the combatants had 
suddenly gone to the happy hunting-grounds. 

I dared not speak Eunning Deer’s name ever 
so softly, lest there should be other enemies with- 
in sound of my voice, and while I waited for the 
victor to appear all the mental pangs of death 
were mine. 

Then I could have screamed for joy at the full 
strength of my lungs as the Delaware came from 
the thicket with a gory scalp at his belt, and lit- 
tle time was wasted after he caught one glance 
of the Ottawa and me. 

Indeed he had come none too soon. I believe 
of a verity that I could not have held my grip 
sixty seconds longer, and immediately the savage 
foe had been dealt a deat-hblow, I literally sank 
to the ground as if the knife had found its way 
to my own heart. 

It shamed me that I was forced to make such a 
show of weakness before Running Deer ; but it 
could not have been avoided, and I said shame- 
facedly : 

Had I been alone I should have struggled to 
the end and never shown myself a woman ; but 
the thought that my life depended upon your 

struggle, unnerved me.” 

20 


30o WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

“You remembered the trick which I taught 
you years ago,” he replied, showing the generous 
side of his nature by looking anywhere rather 
than at my pale face. “Had you not lived so 
long with the English, you would have had a 
knife in your hand when you leaped upon him. 
To make the hug of the Delawares a success, it is 
necessary to jump back as quickly as you do for- 
ward, otherwise it is like to be a failure.” 

By the time he had spoken these words I re- 
covered my ordinary composure ; the blood came 
back to my face, and I was no longer ashamed of 
being seen. 

“There are many Ottawas about,” I said as a 
means of changing the subject, and Eunning Deer 
replied decidedly : 

“ Too many for us. Master McQuire should 
order us back to camp, or send for a larger force. 
We are well-nigh surrounded.” 

At that instant a light rustling of the foliage 
caused me to wheel around very suddenly in the 
belief that another of our foes was creeping up, 
and the Delaware clutched the haft of his knife 
as he bent forw-ard ready to make a leap upon the 
intruder. 

Then it was that the spruce branches were 
pulled gently aside, and to our great surprise we 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 307 

saw, peering through the curtain of green, the 
face of none other than Master Gist. 

I was near to crying out in astonishment, and 
might have done so but that he pressed his finger 
on his lips, when I knew he had full knowledge of 
the enemies everywhere around. 

Silently as a shadow he stole forward until we 
three stood so near each other that our bodies 
came in contact, and then he asked in a gentle 
whisper : 

How far from here is Major Washington like 
to be found ? ” 

“ Not less than seven miles, where he has built 
a fort,” I replied. ‘‘Master McQuire, however, 
stands in yonder thicket, waiting until we have 
spied out the ground.” 

“ There is no good reason for you to do any 
more scouting ; the forest is alive with French and 
Indians, all making ready for an attack upon the 
English. Lead the way to McQuire.” 

I obeyed him right willingly, for there was no 
desire in my heart to scout longer in that locality 
where a fellow was certain to run upon one or 
more savages at every turn. 

As a matter of fact, we should have turned back 
when we first came upon the many trails, each 
showing that it had been made within the hour, 


308 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

for it is taking needless risks to linger in search 
of further information when all that may be nec- 
essary has been obtained. 

Five minutes later we three were at the rendez- 
vous, and the planter and trader were greeting 
each other warmly. 

Kunning Deer and I had no need to make a re- 
port, for Master Gist had more knowledge regard- 
ing the enemy than we had gained, and this he 
imparted to Master McQuire without delay. 

Then it was I pointed to the fresh scalps in 
Eunning Deer’s belt, and our leader knew we had 
not returned without meeting the foe. 

Master Gist’s story concerned more than our 
enemies. He had met a messenger from Half- 
King, who had been sent with information to 
Colonel Washington regarding the movements of 
the foe, and it was so important that Master Mc- 
Quire believed we were warranted in returning to 
the fort without delay. 

The Delaware sachem sent word that the hiding- 
place of a party numbering fifty French and 
Indians had that day been discovered by him, and 
if our commander would come at once to a certain 
place which was well-known to Eunning Deer, the 
whole force might readily be killed or captured. 

‘‘ Bring no more men than can do the work, and 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 


309 


set out at sunset,” Half-King had said through 
his messenger, and Eunning Deer whispered in 
my ear when we heard the words : 

It is well that Master McQuire goes to the fort 
at once, else we might not have a chance to join 
the party.” 

'‘It would seem as if you were certain to be 
taken, since Half-King has named you as the only 
one who knows where he may he found,” I re- 
plied with somewhat of sharpness in my tones, for 
it cut me to realize that the young Delaware 
would be needed, while my presence with the 
party would be of no consequence. 

“I would not leave the fort except by your 
side,” Running Deer whispered, and instantly I 
was ashamed of the thoughts which had come 
into my heart. 

Well, we wasted but little time after the arrival 
of the messenger from Half-King, who crept into 
the thicket like a serpent while Master Gist was 
telling us of the news he brought, but the return 
march was made slowly because it was necessary 
to move cautiously, which is much the same as 
saying we advanced at a snaihs pace, on account 
of the many enemies which were known to be 
lurking near at hand. 

Not until we were two miles from the halting- 


310 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

place did any of our party mount, and then I took 
behind me Master Gist, while Eunning Deer did 
the same favor for Half-King’s messenger. 

I was not present when Colonel Washington 
was told of what we had found. 

Masters Gist and McQuire sought him out im- 
mediately we arrived at Fort Necessity, and, a 
short time later, the messenger was summoned. 

The remainder of our independent company was 
not considered of sufficient consequence to take 
part in the consultation which probably followed. 

We had been in the fort two hours or more be- 
fore Master McQuire came to his own quarters, 
and then he brought with him Master Gist, who 
said as he entered our hut of brushwood : 

‘‘ I’m entitled to shelter here, inasmuch as I’ve 
enlisted as your comrade.” 

What ? ” I cried in surprise and delight. 

Is it really true that you are a member of the 
independent company ? ” 

Indeed it is, John Davidson, and where else 
should I be after joining Colonel Washington’s 
force ? By the way, I apologized for speaking of 
him as ‘ major ’ when I met you in the thicket ; 
I did not then know that Governor Dinwiddie had 
shown the good sense to promote him. I have 
hungered and feasted in your company ; been 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 


311 


with you as near death as a man may go and live, 
and know full well that all here are to be trusted 
to the utmost, therefore with you shall I fight the 
French, or else turn my face homeward once 
more.” 

Then Master Gist held out his hands toward us 
as if making a compact ; but Eunning Deer was 
the only member of our company who did not 
make haste to greet the frontiersman as comrade. 

How is this Master Gist asked in surprise 
as he turned toward the Delaware, looking him 
full in the face. ‘^Does it not please you that I 
count on standing shoulder to shoulder with those 
whom I have already proven.” 

‘‘It is as I would have it,” Running Deer re- 
plied, speaking slowly as if uncertain in his choice 
of words. “ White men are not always ready to 
give their hands to the Indians, and I would not 
be too quick in offering mine.” 

“If by that you mean to say there’s a question 
as to how I look upon you, lad, you’re on the 
wrong trail. It’s the heart that counts, and I have 
seen, or heard, of yours. When you left Half- 
King to turn back into the wilderness in search of 
those we had left behind, I knew you for a brave 
man and true.” 

Having said this Master Gist held out his hand 


312 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

once more, and Kunning Deer grasped it warmly ; 
but said quickly, fearing lest the planter might be 
in error regarding the past : 

‘ ^ I went into the wilderness with J ohn David- 
son because the Dutchman was there.” 

‘^And from all I have heard it apjiears you 
found him,” Master Grist said with a laugh, after 
which he turned once more to Masters McQuire 
and Currin, when the three began to discuss the 
details of the expedition we were to take part in 
that night. 

From their conversation I came to understand 
that the party Colonel Washington was to lead 
against the French whose whereabouts Half-King 
had discovered, would number no more than forty, 
and our independent company could count on 
being well in the front from start to finish. 

Two hours after sunset was the time decided 
upon for the command to leave the fort, and those 
who had been selected to take part in the enter- 
prise were cautioned against holding any converse 
with the remainder of the force, for it was not the 
purpose of our commander to let the men who 
were to hold the fort know there was any possi- 
bility that a battle might be fought that night. 

It was to be given out that the forty had been 
detailed on a scout, and, since it was now known 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 


313 


the enemy was so near at hand, no surprise would 
be caused because so many went forth. 

‘‘We shall march in the rain,” Eunning Deer 
said to me when Master Gist spoke of the time 
appointed for us to leave the fort, and I looked 
up at the sky, wondering what signs the Dela- 
ware had seen which made him so positive as to 
what the weather might be within a few hours. 

At that time it appeared to me as if there was 
every promise of a pleasant evening ; but I knew 
Eunning Deer to be no mean weather prophet, 
therefore was prepared to see the storm clouds 
gather, as they did within the hour. 

“It will be disagreeable to march through the 
wet bushes,” I said with a laugh; “but since 
being acquainted with Colonel Washington we 
have been wet and cold so much of the time that 
a few hours won’t count as anything.” 

Eunning Deer nodded gravely, as if to say he 
was alike indifferent to storm or calm so long as 
an enemy was to be met, and into his eyes came 
that same expression I had seen when he made 
ready to wreak his revenge on Master Van Braam. 

An hour after sunset the rain began to fall, 
and the members of our little company set about 
providing themselves with flaps of deer-hide with 
which to cover the locks of their muskets. 


314 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Master Gist ate supper with us, as was proper 
since he had become our comrade, and when the 
meal was finished we sat in silence inside the hut, 
watching for the signal that the expedition was 
ready to set off on what might be, for very many 
of us, the last march in this world. 

The rain came down steadily, and Eunning Deer 
declared it would not abate until after sunrise ; the 
night was so dark that objects ten paces distant 
could not be seen, and, take it altogether, it was 
as dismal a time of setting out to fight a battle 
as can well be imagined. 

Master McQuire must have thought that some 
of us needed cheering, for he said to Master 
Cur rill, as if the idea had but just occurred 
to him : 

“ It is well for us that this storm has come up, 
because we may be certain the Ottawas will not 
prowl around as they were doing this morning. 
With so many in the forest as John Davidson 
and Eunning Deer found, I question if a party of 
forty could advance very many miles before being 
discovered.” 

‘‘ In case Half-King counts on taking the French 
by surprise, this is the very night on which to 
play the trick. How far to the rendezvous, Eun- 
ning Deer ? ” Master Currin asked carelessly. 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 


315 


‘‘Six hours at a good pace,” the Delaware re- 
plied, and Master Gist muttered half to himself : 

“Which is the same as eight or nine on a night 
like this.” 

“We shall neither freeze nor starve, as it 
seemed positive would be the case when we left 
Venango,” Master McQuire said with a laugh, 
and then all conversation came to an end, for a 
messenger had come with the word that we meet 
the commander near by the eastern entrance of 
the fort. 

The time of departure was near at hand, and 
once more the cold chill of fear ran up and down 
my spine, for that which we had before us was 
no child’s play. 

It is not well that I set down too many words 
concerning the work of this night. May 25-26, 
for there is much of yet more importance to be 
told, before I can lay down the pen, knowing I 
have given a full account of my service with the 
officer who is now fighting against the king he 
then served. 

Within ten minutes after receiving the sum- 
mons, forty of us were marching in single file 
from the fort into the wilderness. 

Eunning Deer led the way, much to his delight, 
and behind him came our colonel, while I was 


316 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

third in the line, with Master McQuire close at 
my heels. 

Master Gist and the remainder of our independ- 
ent company brought up the rear, which was a 
position of great importance when one was likely 
to meet the Ottawas. 

No man carried more than was absolutely nec- 
essary, that is to say, only his weapons and am- 
munition. We would get food from Half -King’s 
force, or go hungry until our return to the fort, 
for it was not the part of wisdom to burden our- 
selves with the lightest weight or bulk, since it 
might become essential to move at the swiftest 
pace over a long distance. 

As I have said, the night was so dark that one 
could not see objects close at hand ; but we had a 
good leader in Eunning Deer, whose eyes were 
something after the nature of a cat’s, or so it had 
seemed to me many a time when he clearly 
distinguished this thing or that which remained 
hidden from me. 

The rain fell steadily and smartly ; within ten 
minutes from beginning the march every man’s 
garments were saturated. It was only by carry- 
ing our muskets with the locks well up under our 
arms and covered with the flaps of deer-hide, that 
we could hope to keep them sufficiently dry for use. 


AT GREAT MEADOWS. 


317 


Eunning Deer spent ten minutes or more, after 
we were come to a small brook, in hunting for a 
path or trail which ran in the direction it was 
necessary we should travel, and after finding it 
we often strayed to one side or the other unless 
kept in line by holding to each other’s garments. 

Now and then one would stumble over a fallen 
branch or small tree-trunk, and, lurching against 
the man in advance, cause the entire line to sway 
wildly forward. 

Often Eunning Deer brought us to a standstill, 
as he heard some suspicious sound in advance, 
and then we were crowded one against the other 
as is a flock of sheep when their leader stops too 
quickly. 

There were also times when the young Delaware, 
well versed in woodcraft though he was, found 
himself at fault, for the trail was faint, and then 
the line stood silent and motionless until, by 
groping around on his hands and knees, Eunning 
Deer found it again. 

To walk swiftly in that inky blackness was im- 
possible, if one wais disposed to guard against a 
fall, and many times did I say to myself that we 
could not hope to reach the rendezvous appointed 
by Half -King, until the sun was high in the 
heavens. 


318 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

I failed of giving heed to the fact that Kunning 
Deer had been given the post of honor, and he, never 
before having been so honored by white men, was 
straining every effort to lead us through in suffi- 
cient time to admit of an attack before the night 
should come to a close. 

The Delaware would have been heart-broken had 
he failed in doing that which was required of 
him ; but as it proved he had no cause for sorrow. 

It was, perhaps, three hours after midnight 
when I heard the young Indian say to Colonel 
Washington : 

Half-King is near at hand. Shall I signal to 
him that we are here ? ” 

‘‘ If we are indeed at the end of our journey 
you have my heartiest thanks,” the colonel re- 
plied in a whisper. ‘ ‘ I question if any other 
in all this company could have guided us so well. 
Give the signal.” 

Then we heard the hoot of an owl, which was a 
moment later answered from some point close at 
hand, and in a twinkling Eunning Deer said 
proudly : 

^‘Here is the sachem, Half-King, my colonel,” 
£fcnd then the lad stepped quickly back by my side. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


THE ATTACK. 

Many of our men stretched themselves out on 
the ground, when it was understood that we had 
arrived at the rendezvous, as if with the idea that 
they would be allowed a long time for repose : but 
I had it in mind that Half-King did not count on 
detaining us many moments. 

I believed, however, that the sachem would 
give to our colonel an account of his finding the 
enemy, and stood ready for the summons to act 
as interpreter. 

Having been in the company of white men so 
long. Running Deer could speak English exceed- 
ing well, and might better have acted the part of 
interpreter ; but he had never appeared willing to 
do so, and I continued to serve the colonel as I 
had done since that day in Williamsburg where I 
first saw him. 

My services were indeed^in demand, but not for 
many seconds. 

Half-King welcomed our commander as a true 
319 


320 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

friend of the Delawares, and declared that his 
people would remain at peace with the English 
of Virginia so long as they heeded his advice. 

Having said this much he fell silent, as if we 
had been summoned for no other purpose than to 
hear his words of friendship. 

Colonel Washington knew full well how to deal 
-with an Indian. Not until he had made formal 
reply to Half-King’s protestations did he touch 
upon the reasons for our coming, and then it was 
to say : 

The messenger from my brother, Half-King, 
declared that those enemies of the English and 
the Delawares who are trying to steal our lands, 
were in hiding near by.” 

‘‘Fifty Frenchmen are close at hand where 
they may be surprised if no time is lost.” 

“Will Half-King himself show the way, or 
will he send some one who can lead us ? ” 

“ The sachem of the Delawares is here with ten 
of his tribe, and will march side by side with the 
Englishman who showed himself a brave when 
we guided him to the settlements of the French.” 

Then our colonel announced that he and his 
men were ready, and without delay Half-King 
completed his preparations for surprising the 
enemy. 


THE ATTACK. 


321 


In answer to a low, soft call, not unlike the 
notes of some night bird, ten Indians sprang up 
as if they had been lying concealed beneath 
our very feet, and when the sachem had spoken 
a few words, the party disappeared from view, 
Half-King motioning for Colonel Washington to 
follow their guidance. 

Eunning Deer was no longer responsible for the 
safety of the company, and he fell in behind me as 
the word was passed for our men to advance. 

This last portion of the march was much like the 
first, except that every care was taken to move 
softly lest we betray our movements to the enemy. 

In order that there might be no stumbling, or 
deviating from the trail, each man clutched with 
his left hand the garments of the comrade in front, 
and the pace was made purposely slow to admit 
of feeling the way with our feet to avoid the pos- 
sibility of stepping upon that which might send 
forth an alarm. 

How far we marched I cannot say ; but before 
the word to halt was whispered along the line I 
came to the conclusion that Half-King had no 
very accurate idea of distance, for he had an- 
nounced that the French were close at hand,” 
and surely we could not have traveled less than 
four miles under his guidance. 


322 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

It was daylight, although the sun had not yet 
shown himself, when we were halted on an ele- 
vation of land covered with huge boulders and 
rocks over which one could make his way only 
with difficulty. 

Before us was a small area of meadow, where- 
on had been thrown up four rude huts, and it was 
in these that Half-King told Colonel Washington 
the enemy would be found. 

It did not seem to me possible there could be 
any Frenchmen in the makeshifts for dwellings, 
else would sentinels have been posted at the dif- 
ferent points to guard against such a surprise as 
we proposed giving them. 

They must have known beyond a peradventure, 
if, perchance, Half-King was correct in his state- 
ment, that they were in an enemy’s country, and 
the idea of building huts in which to lay down to 
sleep as if there was nothing in all the broad land 
to cause alarm, was, to my mind, the act of mad- 
men. 

‘‘We have traveled for naught this night,” I 
whispered to Kunning Deer. “ The Frenchmen 
must have fled, for not a sentinel can be seen, and 
surely they would be keeping some sort of guard 
if a company was sheltered by those huts.” 

“ Half-King had said they are there, and he 


THE ATTACK. 


323 


does not speak without knowing, as does a fool,” 
Eunning Deer said quickly, and I understood that 
it would not be well for me to question this or any 
other statement the sachem might make. 

However, I could believe what I pleased, so that 
I kept my tongue between my teeth, aud again I 
said to myself that we had come on a wild-goose 
chase, to return from which might cost us dearly. 

At this instant Colonel Washington and Half- 
King were standing within a couple of paces from 
where Running Deer and I had halted, while the 
remainder of the company, save the Delaware 
scouts who were approaching the huts, was a 
short distance in the rear. 

The colonel had turned to give some order, as I 
fancied, just as one of the scouts went incau- 
tiously near the rude dwellings, when the enemy 
began to show himself. 

From each hut the Frenchmen swarmed out 
like bees when their nest is disturbed, and almost 
at the same instant that I caught a glimpse of the 
foremost, a volley of bullets came among us. 

Of a verity the enemy were no sluggards at 
opening a fight, and we who had come to take 
them by surprise, were near to having the tables 
turned upon us. 

I saw one of our men pitch forward on his face 


324 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


with a ball in his heart, and another topple over 
awkwardly as the bone of his leg was shattered, 
after which there was no longer time to give heed 
to anything save that which I had come to do. 

Colonel Washington appeared to stand in the 
very midst of flying missiles coming from front 
and rear, yet he was as cool and sensible of what 
should be done as if he knew beyond a peradven- 
ture that he could not by any possibility be 
wounded. 

There was little need for our commander to give 
orders, however. Every member of the company 
was an old hand at such kind of fighting, and in 
a twinkling all sought shelter, after which a heavy 
fire was poured in upon the enemy. 

The Frenchmen showed that they had courage, 
but very little discretion. Instead of falling back 
across the meadow to the slope where every man 
could have a boulder as breast-works, they drew 
up in line a few paces distant from the huts, and 
there fired as rapidly as their weapons could be 
reloaded. 

All of our party had gained a shelter except 
Colonel Washington and Half -King, Eunning 
Deer and myself. The first two stood exposed to 
full view where the enemy had first seen them, 
and there was in my mind the thought that they 


THE ATTACK. 325 

were thus reckless because neither would make 
the first move toward seeking cover. 

Because the old Delaware chose to stand in the 
open, Running Deer refused to take advantage 
of tree or boulder, and of a verity I was not 
minded to be the only one of the four to beat a 
retreat. 

Thus it was we remained fair target for all that 
company of Frenchmen, and had the battle been 
prolonged it would have been impossible that we 
could escape death or severe wounds. 

As it was, however, and mighty fortunate for 
us according to my way of thinking, the engage- 
ment was very short, lasting no longer than would 
admit of the most active discharging his musket 
five times. 

Then the enemy could do no better than show a 
white cloth in token of submission. 

Not all were willing to surrender, however. 
When one of the company waved the apology for 
a flag, a dozen or more turned and ran at full 
speed for the opposite slope where good shelter 
could be found, and if that move had been made 
at the outset our victory had neither been so 
speedy or complete. 

Colonel Washington ordered Master Gist to go 
in pursuit with a dozen men ; but even while the 


326 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


command was being given, twice that number of 
our company darted down the hill. 

It must be remembered that our people were 
not soldiers, accustomed to move only at the word 
of command ; but frontiersmen, who had their 
own peculiar views as to how a battle should be 
fought, and carried them out regardless of those 
in command. 

Eunning Deer and I followed the two leaders 
down the slope as they approached the huts to 
receive the submission of those who had had their 
fill of fighting, and once we gained the French 
battle line it was plain to be seen why the engage- 
ment came to an end so suddenly. 

Captain Jumonville, the commander of the 
French, was stretched out on the ground dead, 
with a bullet through his head, and we afterward 
learned that he fell at the first volley our people 
fired. Near him were ten other dead men, and 
one greivously wounded. Nine uninjured French- 
men had thrown down their muskets in token of 
surrender, and the remainder of the party had 
taken to their heels ; but did not remain at 
liberty many moments. 

One after another the fugitives were taken 
prisoners, either by voluntary submission, or 
through being routed out of their hiding-places, 


THE ATTACK. 327 

and when the last was brought in we had twenty- 
one captives. 

A single member of the company had escaped, 
so it was said, and when he carried information 
of the disaster to the French commandant, it was 
safe to say that we at Fort Necessity would find 
ourselves in uncomfortably snug quarters. 

During the first ten minutes after the engage- 
ment had come to an end, it looked very much 
as if Half-King’s following would massacre the 
prisoners despite all our people could do, and if 
Colonel Washington had not taken a very decided 
stand, regardless of the possibility that he might 
disgruntle the whole Delaware nation, the French- 
men would have been despatched at once. 

The commander gave an order for our company 
to form in line directly in front of the prisoners 
to defend them, and then I was called upon to 
act the part of interpreter between him and 
Half-King, the conversation being carried on in 
such a lively fashion that it was all I could do to 
repeat the words as they were uttered. 

At first Colonel Washington urged the Dela- 
ware sachem in the name of humanity to prevent 
his followers from murdering defenseless men in 
cold blood ; but that argument, or appeal, which- 
ever you choose to call it, had very little weight 


328 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

with Half- King. He declared that the prisoners 
belonged to him, since but for the information 
sent, the enemy would not have been taken, and in- 
sisted that his braves, would never again fight in 
behalf of the English of Virginia if they were 
deprived of what they considered their rights. 

Then our commander explained that white men 
did not murder captives ; but treated them as 
prisoners of war, and declared that the English 
king would punish most severely any of his 
soldiers who should permit such a wrong. 

To this Half-King replied that he and his braves 
were not slaves belonging to the king of England ; 
but free men who fought battles according to 
their own ideas. That they could be enemies or 
friends as pleased them best, and if deprived of 
that which was rightfully theirs — meaning the 
prisoners — the Delawares might not hesitate 
to dig up the hatchet against the English of 
Virginia. 

For a time it looked very much as if we should 
not only succeed in making of this powerful 
sachem a foe ; but that he would, by sending to 
the village for a larger force, take the captives 
from us despite all our efforts to the contrary. 

Many another man would either have delivered 
up the unhappy prisoners to the hatchet or the 


THE ATTACK. 329 

torture, or come to an open rupture with Half- 
King. 

Colonel Washington did neither. First he 
charged Masters Gist, McQuire and Currin with 
the safe-keeping of the Frenchmen, putting them 
in command of our force, and then he retired a 
short distance away to hold council with the 
Delawares. 

Running Deer was quite confident that matters 
would be arranged as bis people had demanded, 
and I shared this belief ; but we had little time in 
which to discuss the matter, since both of us were 
called upon to interpret between the colonel and 
the sachem. 

I have always believed Half- King suspected I 
would not translate faithfully all that was said, 
and called upon Running Deer to make certain 
my tongue was straight. 

However that may be, the young Delaware and 
myself were forced to perform the parts assigned 
us, and during two hours or more we struggled 
earnestly to make each of the speakers understand 
fully what the other had said. 

Then Half-King agreed to yield his claims on 
these particular prisoners for the time being, and 
to lay the matter before his people. If it should 
be decided in solemn council that Colonel Wash- 


330 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


ington had done them an injustice, the Delawares 
would take speedy steps toward avenging their 
wrongs. 

To my mind this was much like a declaration 
of war. I was convinced the Delawares would 
hold to it strongly that the prisoners belonged to 
them because Half-King had arranged the sur- 
prise, and knew beyond question that those hot- 
heads among the young braves who had been 
tempted by the rich bribes held out by the French, 
would use every effort to stir up the tribe against 
the colonists. 

It was a most serious responsibility which our 
colonel had had thus suddenly thrust upon him, 
and if Half-King’s nation declared against the 
English of Virginia in favor of the French, then 
would he be looked upon as the prime cause of 
all the bloodshed that must necessarily follow. 

Our colonel, however, was not only a brave 
man ; but one who would not let himself be 
frightened or forced from a path which he 
believed to be right, as was clearly shown in this 
case. 

The Delawares set out for their own village, 
parting from us in something very like anger, 
and the colonel went slowly back to the huts 
where our wounded, and those of the French, 


THE ATTACK. 831 

were being cared for as well as could be done in 
the absence of regular surgeons. 

We had lost one in killed, and three wounded, 
surely not very severe punishment when one 
takes into consideration that for a time the en- 
gagement was as hot as it well could be. 

Captain Jumonville was buried where he had 
fallen, and with but little ceremony, for we had 
no time to spare for anything save that which 
was absolutely necessary. 

We had yet before us the return to Fort Neces- 
sity, and it must be made through the forest 
where Eunning Deer and I had seemingly found 
the Ottawas thick as berries in August, therefore 
every moment was precious. 

Litters had been made for the two wounded men 
who would not be able to walk, and within half an 
hour after Half-King brought the council, or 
discussion, as it might be called, to an end, we 
had set our faces toward the fort, realizing full 
well the dangers by which we would be presently 
surrounded. 

The rain ceased falling at daybreak ; but the 
low-hanging clouds told that the storm was not 
come to an end and we had good reason to believe 
the elements would be against us before we gained 
such shelter as was to be found in the fortification. 


332 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Kunning Deer marched just behind me, moody 
and silent. There was on his face an expression 
of uneasiness, and I could well understand that 
he was speculating upon his position in case the 
Delawares should declare war against the colo- 
nists, or even go so far as to ally themselves with 
the French. 

There was in my mind the belief that the colony 
of Virginia would be entirely destroyed if Half- 
King’s people took up arms against the English, 
for it did not need any very wise man to under- 
stand that the settlers could not successfully battle 
at the same time against the French and the most 
powerful nations of savages. 

What do you think will be the result ? ” I 
asked of Eunning Deer after we had marched in 
silence half an hour or more. 

‘^Half-King believes the Delawares have been 
wronged.” 

‘‘And you ?” 

“I think as does he. Because of what the 
Delawares did, the colonel has gained a big vic- 
tory, and if he had not beaten the French, they 
would have come against the fort. The white 
men take the prisoners, and the Indians, who 
planned it all, go away with empty hands.” 

This speech disturbed me more than I cared to 


THE ATTACK. 


333 


admit even to myself ; if Eunning Deer believed 
an injustice had been done, then every brave in 
the nation would probably be of the same opinion, 
in which case the English of Virginia must speed- 
ily be wiped off the earth. 

“ Surely you do not believe it is right to kill a 
defenseless prisoner,” I said, hardly knowing 
why I attempted to convert him to a white man’s 
view of the situation. 

‘‘ If you do not kill the French, they will kill 
you.” 

‘‘ In a fair fight, yes ; but the white men do not 
murder those who cannot raise a hand in their 
own defense.” 

‘‘ It is wiser to do so, and then one’s enemies are 
more quickly crushed,” Eunning Deer replied 
moodily. 

“ If Colonel Washington had believed as you 
do, Eunning Deer would have gone to the happy 
hunting-grounds many days ago. Our colonel 
has but defended the French prisoners as he 
defended the Delaware prisoner, when the Dutch- 
man would have murdered him.” 

Eunning Deer looked up quickly at me, and I 
saw that on his face which told of a decided change 
in views. 

The situation was thus brought home to him 


334 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

very forcibly, and perhaps for the first time he 
understood thoroughly the justice of Colonel 
Washington’s course. 

That he could be brought around so quickly to 
look at the matter in a different light, gave me 
an idea such as I thought worth consideration, 
for, as it seemed to me, unless something was done 
quickly, the Delawares would be on the war-path. 

Therefore it was I mustered sufficient courage 
to hasten ahead and accost the commander, who 
was holding a whispered converse with Master 
Gist. 

Had the situation been one whit less grave 
and threatening, I never could have plucked up 
courage to address him with what might seem 
like advice from a soldier whose duty it was to 
hold his tongue ; but the idea in my mind seemed 
so promising that I chanced everything, and 
asked if I might be allowed to speak with him. 

‘^Have you something to say in private, John 
Davidson ? ” he asked, looking surprised, as well 
he might, for never before had I presumed to 
begin a conversation with him. 

‘^No, sir ; it is well Master Gist should hear 
what I have to say ; but first I pray your pardon 
for daring to speak on what does not really concern 
me.” 


THE ATTACK. 


335 


I am not afraid you will meddle to any seri- 
ous extent,” he said with a smile which went far 
toward giving me courage to continue. 

Running Deer believes his people will dig up 
the hatchet against the English of Virginia be- 
cause we have taken away the French prisoners,” 
I began hesitatingly, for it was difficult to 
decide just how it might he best to present the 
matter. 

And I fear Running Deer is correct. I could 
not have allowed the murders to be committed, 
whatever the result.” 

“ Very true, sir ; but it has come to me that 
perhaps Half-King may look at the matter in a 
different light, if he be speedily reminded that 
Running Deer’s life was saved because you would 
not allow prisoners to be killed. That affair might 
bring the matter home to him from a different 
point of view, for it is the same as this one, 
provided it be presented before it is too late.” 

Master Gist suddenly clapped me on the shoul- 
der with such force that I reeled in my tracks, as 
he cried : 

‘‘ You’ve hit the nail on the head, John David- 
son ! That is the game to play with the sachem 1 ” 

Think you it might be of any avail to remind 
Half-King of the fact?” Colonel Washington 


336 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

asked of Master Gist, and the latter replied em- 
phatically : 

Ay, that I do, colonel. The old fellow should 
remember that you did no more for the French- 
man than you had already done for a Delaware, 
and once he does so I’m believing he’ll take a 
different stand.” 

Colonel Washington remained silent as if in 
deep thought while one might have counted 
twenty, and then said abruptly, addressing himself 
to Master Gist : 

There is a faint hope something might come 
of such a plan, and we ought not neglect a single 
opportunity, however slight, for as matters stand 
now the colonists of Virginia are like to be in sore 
distress. Take the two lads with you, and over- 
take Half-King ; spend with him as much time 
as seems necessary, and if no more good comes of 
the effort, you will be able to bring latest intelli- 
gence of what the Delawares propose to do.” 

Master Gist did not attempt to parley ; on the 
instant he stepped aside out of the line, motioning 
me to do the same, and our colonel waved his 
hand kindly in token of adieu and good wishes, 
or, at least, I so interpreted the gesture. 

We stood by the side of the trail until Eunning 
Deer was come opposite us, when Master Gist 


THE ATTACK. 


337 


brought him to our side with a glance, so quick 
was the Delaware to understand either sign or 
look, after which we waited for the company to 
pass us. 

Then when we were alone in the forest, the 
troop having passed out of sight and hearing. 
Master Gist said to Eunning Deer : 

You should be able to guide us to Half -King. ” 

The Delaware gazed at the planter question- 
ingly, and, finally, the latter explained somewhat 
of our purpose, when Eunning Deer said heartily : 

“It is well to speak with the sachem before a 
council can be held ; his heart is soft toward the 
English of Virginia, and he would not wrong the 
white men. John Davidson’s words brought me 
to look differently upon what has been done, and 
they may have power with Half-King.” 

“ Is he like to go far from where we left him ? ” 

“Not this day. An hour spent on the trail will 
take us to him ; but he may ask that we go with 
him to the village of the Delawares.” 

“ And in that case, lad, we shall do exactly as 
he wishes.” 

“ What ! ” I cried in amaze. “ Would you go 
as far as Logstown when it is possible the enemy 
may attack the fort at any day ? ” 

“Ay, that I would, John Davidson, if it so be 
22 


338 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

we can do anything whatsoever toward persuad- 
ing the Delawares to keep peace with the English 
of Virginia. Better we lose that fortification a 
dozen times over, than that such a sachem as 
Half-King decides to take up the hatchet against 
us.” 

“But if the Delawares should conclude to go 
on the war-path, we would fall the first victims, 
or, what is an hundred times worse, as I know to 
my sorrow, be held as slaves,” 

“Half-King would not allow that such a thing 
be done ! ” Kunning Deer cried emphatically. 
“ His heart is as big as a white man’s, and he does 
not strike those who have trust in him.” 

“ That’s exactly my idea, lad ; but even though 
we stood good chance of being singled out as the 
first victims, our work is of so much importance 
to the English of Virginia, that I would take any 
and every risk.” 

It was all very well for Master Gist, who did 
not know the suffering of a slave among the 
Indians, to declare himself thus. I had lived 
through long, painful years as a captive in the 
Delaware village, and sudden death had few ter- 
rors for me as compared with another month of 
such experience. 

I knew beyond the possibility of a doubt that 


THE ATTACK. 


339 


those Indians who desired peace with the English 
of Virginia more than they feared the enmity of 
the French, were small in numbers as against 
those who would give ear to the promises made 
by General de St. Pierre. Even Jeskakake and 
White Thunder were more than half convinced it 
would be of advantage to the Delawares to take 
sides with the French, and however strong Half- 
King might be in council, he could not hold his 
own against so many. 

In brief, I was almost convinced that a return 
to Logstown meant death or captivity for us, and 
since our commander himself had not absolutely 
ordered me to go, I doubted much whether I 
would follow Master Gist so far. 

However, I put the matter from my mind after 
a time, for it was not yet certain that Half-King 
would even propose that we go to his village, and 
there is little sense in borrowing trouble from the 
future when one can find so much in the present. 

Punning Deer, well pleased with the idea of 
having speech with the sachem again, led the 
way at a rapid pace, and we two followed with 
but little heed to the surroundings, for there was 
no fear of meeting with the Ottawas on that 
trail. 

As the young Delaware had said, we overtook 


34:0 WHEN WASHINGTON SEEVED THE KING. 

Half-King in less than an hour. He and his follow- 
ing had halted, evidently for the purpose of talk- 
ing over the situation as presented by Colonel 
"Washington’s stand against the murder of pris- 
oners, and no one gave any heed to us after one 
quick, searching glance when we first came up. 

Master Gist, eager to begin his work of peace- 
making, insisted that I repeat to Half-King with- 
out delay that which I had said to Eunning Deer ; 
but I knew enough of Indian customs to under- 
stand that the sachem would refuse to listen to 
me at such a time. 

They are holding a little council by them- 
selves, probably to decide what shall be said on 
their arrival at Logstown, and the white man 
who should be so foolish as to speak now would 
be roughly treated.” • 

This much I said to Master Gist, knowing full 
well my words were straight ; but he, who should 
have understood better from having had so much 
intercourse with the savages, believed I held back 
because of being afraid, and appealed to Eunning 
Deer. 

‘‘We must wait until the sachem is ready to 
hear us,” he said gravely, and without further 
words seated himself on a fallen tree an hundred 
paces or more distant from the Delawares ; but 


THE ATTACK. 


341 


taking good care to remain where they might 
keep him in view. 

I followed him, and, finally. Master Gist came 
to understand that it would be better to take our 
advice. The need was not so urgent that we must 
imperil our chances for success by pressing the 
cause at an unseasonable moment, for the main 
body of Delawares would remain in ignorance of 
the stand taken by Colonel Washington until 
Half-King and his following arrived at Logs- 
town. 

It was a long, tedious wait we had ; the Indians 
talked slowly, held silence during long intervals, 
and smoked much. We conversed at times on 
this subject or that ; but never once mentioning 
that which lay nearest our hearts. 

The sun was low in the heavens before the coun- 
cil was brought to a close by the rising of Half- 
King, who came slowly toward us with bent head, 
as if his thoughts were disagreeable. 

‘‘Which of you lads will speak with him?” 
Master Gist asked in a whisper, and since Eun- 
ning Deer remained silent I said : 

“It is better the words be spoken by him whose 
life was saved when the Dutchman would have 
killed a prisoner.” 

The young Delaware made no protest ; rising 


34:2 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

immediately he went toward the sachem, bringing 
him to a halt beyond earshot of us. 

Then Kunning Deer spoke with animation and 
at considerable length ; hut Master Gist was dis- 
turbed in mind because we could not hear one of 
his words. 

‘‘Think you, John Davidson, the young Dela- 
ware would play us false ? ” he asked in a whisper. 

“ In what way ? ” I asked in surprise. 

“ By persuading the sachem to join the French, 
instead of sa3dng that which we had agreed upon.” 

I was angry because Master Gist could even 
think Running Deer capable of such treachery, 
and said hotly : 

“ Running Deer’s heart is white, as you should 
know by this time, Master Gist. There is no 
double meaning to his words, and to him would 
I trust my life though every other in this world 
was against me.” 

“ Well, well, lad, there’s no reason to get ex- 
cited ; it is but natural any one in my position 
should be suspicious, especially when he deals 
with Indians. The young Delaware has up to this 
time acted like a man ” 

“ It will be well, for you to look upon him as 
honest, if it be your purpose to go to Logstown, 
because once there Running Deer wull be the only 


THE ATTACK. 


343 


friend. Even Half-King cannot be depended upon 
now that he believes himself wronged by our colo- 
nel.” 

There was no opportunity for us to hold further 
converse, because Kunning Deer was returning. 

I looked into his face searchingly to learn if 
he had been successful ; but the features told 
nothing. 

‘‘ Well Master Gist asked impatiently when 
the young Delaware stood silent before us. 

Half-King bids you come to Logstown, where 
you can say to our people why the English wish 
to keep their prisoners alive.” 

Did he give heed to what you said ? ” 

His ears were open wide ; but his tongue re- 
mained close between his teeth.” 

Think you he favors the English of Virginia ? ” 
I asked, disheartened and alarmed by the proposi- 
tion that we go to the village of the Delawares. 

“ He has always been their friend, and his face 
would not be turned from them now but for 
wrong-doing,” Eunning Deer replied, and my 
heart beat fast and loud, for it appeared as if the 
meeting with Half-King had once more filled him 
with bitterness against my people. 

Well,” Master Gist said as if thinking aloud, 
^^if the sachem holds to it that we had best go to 


344 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Logstown, there is nothing else to be done. I 
wonder when he counts on starting ? ” 

At sunrise to-morrow,” Eunning Deer replied. 

‘‘We will follow on his trail.” 

“And what about our people at Fort Neces- 
sity ? ” I asked sharply. “ Is it the act of brave 
men to leave their comrades when the enemy is 
so near at hand ? ” 

“I reckon it requires more courage to follow 
Half-King,” Master Gist replied grimly. “Cer- 
tain it is we can do more good to the colonists by 
holding fast to our mission until there is no longer 
any hope of success.” 

I was sorely perplexed, and yet, when the de- 
cisive moment came, knew full well I would not 
turn my back on the work. 

One of Half-King’s party brought in two quar- 
ters of venison at this moment, and instead of 
cudgeling my brain further, I did what I might 
/; toward preparing that portion given to us for 
supper, and surely we stood in need of food, 
having partaken of nothing since the evening 
previous. 


CHAPTER XV. 


THE PRISONER. 

Unless I cut this apology for a story short 
somewhere, I shall not have time to finish it be- 
fore the Continental army departs from these, 
the most dismal winter quarters that soldiers 
ever went into. General, the Baron Steuben, 
warned me this afternoon, when I carried to his 
hut the last ten pages for him to read and criticise, 
that we were not like to remain here many days 
longer, therefore must I hasten my task. 

Because of such warning I shall pass over the 
four days we three, meaning Master Gist, Run- 
ning Deer and myself, spent with Half-King^s 
force of braves making the journey to Logstown, 
by simply saying that we arrived at the village 
of the Delawares after a most exasperatingly slow 
march. It was much as though the sachem 
wished to spend as many hours on the road as 
possible without absolutely standing still, and 
when we were finally arrived, it was to find nearly 
all the younger braves absent — with the French- 
men, as I believed. 


345 


346 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Half -King had twice told Eiinning Deer that it 
would not be wise for us to chafe at delays ; but 
prepare ourselves to remain quietly in the village 
until the important question as to which nation 
of white people the Delawares would ally them- 
selves with, had been settled, and this, he inti- 
mated, might be a matter of several weeks. 

There was in my mind a suspicion that the 
sachem would be pleased to keep us with him at 
a time when our services were most needed at 
the fort ; but Master Gist declared again and 
again that we would never again be in position to 
do as much good to the English of Virginia as 
then. That even though the chances were against 
accomplishing the purpose of our visit, he would 
insist on remaining until the last shred of hope 
had been destroyed. 

We were given the use of a tepee in the village ; 
but none of the squaws offered to prepare our 
food, and it appeared to me much as if no one 
save Half-King himself was favorably inclined 
toward our remaining. It is true that no indig- 
nities were put upon us ; but also a fact that never 
a person appeared desirous of making us welcome. 

Save when we wandered through the village, 
we were as much alone as if we had encamped in 
the unbroken forest, and, acting upon the advice 


THE PRISONEE. 347 

given to Running Deer by Half-King, it was but 
seldom that we showed ourselves. 

Six days passed uneventfully after our arrival, 
making ten risings of the sun since we parted 
company with Colonel Washington, and then a 
runner came in with news of what was being done 
by the English and French. 

As a matter of course we were not invited to 
hear that which he had come to tell ; but, later 
on that same night, Half-King came to our tepee 
with the information brought, and I set it down 
here in the fewest possible words in order the 
more quickly to bring this overly long story to an 
end. 

First in point of importance was the news that 
the French had completed the fort captured from 
Captain Trent’s force at the Forks of the Ohio, 
and named it Duquesne” in honor of the Gover- 
nor-General of Canada. It was now occupied by 
a thousand men — French and Indians — under com- 
mand of Monsieur Contrecoeur, and was the 
strongest station held by the enemy this side of 
Montreal. 

The prisoners, whose lives were like to cost the 
English of Virginia the friendship of the Dela- 
wares, had been sent from Fort Necessity over 
the mountains to Williamsburg, where they could 


348 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

be guarded safely, and a great ado was being 
made by the French over their capture. General 
de St. Pierre claimed that we had absolutely 
murdered Captain Jumonville and those who fell 
with him, since, instead of being a war-party, 
the captain was heading a peaceful embassy on 
its way to treat with Governor Dinwiddie or his 
representatives. Therefore, so far as the general 
situation was concerned between white men, our 
people would have been in no worse plight had 
they allowed the Delawares to work their will on 
the captives. 

Colonel Fry, who had been appointed chief in 
command of the forces at Fort Necessity, had 
died of some sudden illness at Will’s Creek, and 
the men he had with him at the time pushed for- 
ward to the fortification, thus giving Colonel 
Washington a command of over four hundred. 

Encouraged by this accession of numbers, and 
now being unquestionably the commander-in- 
chief, our colonel had abandoned Fort Necessity 
to advance upon Fort Duquesne, having, at the 
time the runner left the vicinity, arrived as far 
as Master Gist’s plantation, where intrenchments 
were thrown up in order that the place might be 
used as a base of supplies. 

It can well be fancied that this budget of start- 


THE PRISONER. 


349 


ling news excited us greatly, and I felt more than 
ever convinced it was our duty to leave Logstown 
without delay, for of a surety we would be sorely 
needed in case the colonel made an attack upon 
the large force of French at Fort Duquesne. 

In this, however, my advice was unheeded by 
Master Gist and Running Deer. The greater 
portion of the tribe were yet absent, and it was 
claimed by my comrades that until they returned 
we had not begun the work set us to do. 

Half-King was once more showing himself very 
friendly to the English ; the trouble about the 
prisoners was getting to be an old story, and, as 
Master Gist said, if we stayed there two months, 
and finally succeeded in preventing the Delawares 
from an alliance with the French, we would have 
accomplished more than Colonel Washington 
could possibly do for the colonists ; the capture of 
Fort Duquesne could not be of as much importance. 

Therefore it was I held my peace, and settled 
down, very unwillingly, to a longer stay at the 
village which was hateful to me because of past 
suffering. 

Day after day went by ; we strolled about, now 
and then hunting a little, but warned against 
venturing very far from the encampment, and 
altogether we spent a most dismal time. 


360 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

The main body of Delawares did not show 
themselves, and I insisted that already were they 
in the employ of the French, while we sat there 
waiting for what would never come our way. 

1 had become convinced that we were being 
held there by soft words simply in order to pre- 
vent us from doing our duty with Colonel Wash- 
ington’s force, although Master Gist laughed at 
the idea that we three could be considered of so 
much consequence. 

Then, when it seemed to me I had been half a 
lifetime at Logstown, spending the hours in idle- 
ness when I might have been of service to the 
colonists, other runners came in, bringing infor- 
mation that Colonel Washington had decided to 
fall back upon Fort Necessity once more. The 
intrenchments at Master Gist’s plantation had 
been abandoned, and the soldiers were strengthen- 
ing the original fortification, being urged thereto 
by the advance of the enemy, who was gathering 
in overwhelming numbers at Fort Duquesne. 

It was now the month of June. The Delawares 
had not declared for or against us, save in the 
case of Half-King before the battle with Jumon- 
ville’s force, and we three might as well have 
been prisoners, except that we were not treated 
with indignity. 


THE PRISONER. 


351 


Even Master Gist was beginning to show signs 
of discouragement, and but for an arrival which 
at once plunged us into the greatest consterna- 
tion, I believe we would have departed from Logs- 
town with but scanty notice of our intentions. 

I no longer attempted to count the days, for 
it had become mournful work to add each 
twenty-four hours to the many we had spent in 
idleness ; but certain am I it was near the middle 
of June, at the close of a very warm day, when 
we were lounging in front of our tepee discussing 
for the hundredth time the unpromising situation, 
that a party of Delawares — some of those who 
had so long been absent — came into the village 
with loud shouts of joy and triumph. 

I half sprang up from the ground, believing 
that at last our long, dreary time of waiting was 
come to an end ; but sank back very quickly on 
realizing that among the Indians one writes him- 
self down a fool who displays either surprise or 
desire. 

Now we can count on getting about our work,” 
Master Gist said in a tone of satisfaction, believ- 
ing the entire tribe was returning to the village, 
and almost in the same breath he gave vent to a 
low cry of fear and dismay. 

Looking up quickly to learn the cause of this 


V 


352 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

sudden change in his tone, I saw that those who 
were entering the village had with them a pris- 
oner, and in another second I was echoing Mas- 
ter Gist’s cry, for in the helpless captive I saw 
none other than Master McQuire. 

“ How did he fall into their clutches ? ” I asked 
in a whisper, my voice trembling with emotion, 
and instead of answering my question, Eunning 
Deer muttered : 

“ The Delawares have gone over to the French- 
men, and this is the first blow against the English 
of Virginia ! ” 

Even so, how does it chance that McQuire has 
fallen victim. Can it be that Colonel Washing- 
ton has been whipped ? ” 

There was in these last words terrible food for 
reflection, and like a flash of light came to my 
mind the knowledge that if an attack had really 
been made upon our people by the Delawares, 
then might Master Gist and myself count on 
speedily taking our places by the side of the help- 
less captive. 

We sat there as if stricken motionless with hor- 
ror, and Eunning Deer appeared quite as much 
concerned as either Master Gist or myself, while 
the war-party paraded their victim around the 
village that the squaws and small boys might 


THE PRISONER. 


353 


have opportunity of torturing him, passing, as 
they did so, within a dozen feet of our tepee. 

Master McQuire looked full at us while being 
thus conducted, with the howling pack at his 
heels ; but never a quiver of his eyelids told that 
he had seen us before. 

On our part, we gazed without giving signs of 
recognition, although it was hardly to be hoped 
that we might persuade the savages we had 
never before seen the unhappy prisoner, for there 
were many in the village who had met him with 
us when we first visited the place in company 
with Colonel Washington. 

Until the swaggering captors had made a com- 
plete circuit of the village and halted in front of 
Half-King’s tepee, did either of us speak, and then 
it was to ask the same question : 

Had our people been beaten by the French and 
their allies, among whom we might now count 
the Delawares ? 

‘‘ This much is certain,” Master Gist said 
thoughtfully, after a long time of silence. If 
there has been a fight in which these Indians 
took part, we will soon know it, for they’ll have 
us alongside of McQuire before many minutes 
more have passed.” 

And I was confident that very shortly we would 

23 


354 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

be occupying the position of captives instead of 
guests. 

Eunning Deer made no comment ; but from the 
expression on his face I believed it was in his mind 
that soon he must stand against all his tribe as our 
friend, or look on with so much of calmness as 
he might while we were being tortured to death. 

To our great surprise, however, there was no 
evidence that those who had lately returned felt 
any particular enemity against us. Two or three 
of the young braves whom I had known while 
held in the village as captive, came up to speak 
to Eunning Deer and myself, and their words 
were most friendly. 

There was one question burning on my tongue 
all the while we were greeting these newcomers ; 
but I dare not put it into spoken words, and even 
Eunning Deer was uncertain as to how it might 
be received, therefore not until we had held con- 
verse on almost every other topic save that of 
whether the Delawares would ally themselves 
with the French, he asked as if the matter was 
of no particular consequence to him : 

‘‘Where did you take the prisoner ? ’’ 

“In the forest,” was the ready reply, both 
persons speaking, as a matter of course, in the 
Delaware tongue. 


THE PRISONER. 


355 


Did you kill any?” 

‘^He was alone.” 

Is he English or French ? ” 

^‘English ; a trader from Will’s Creek.” 

Now it was that Running Deer assumed a look 
of astonishment as he asked : 

Are the Delawares on the war-path ? ” 

^Wou know full well that some of them have 
been,” the Indian replied with a meaning look at 
Running Deer. 

‘‘ If those I went out with had taken a captive 
they would not have brought him here, where 
Half -King, Jeskakake and White Thunder would 
have set him free.” 

The sachems will not do that now,” the young 
brave replied confidently. There are many of 
us who count on taking up the hatchet against 
the English of Virginia, and Half-King stands 
alone in favor of peace.” 

‘^Has Jeskakake and White Thunder declared 
for the French ? ” 

‘‘No, and neither will they oppose us who 
would go on the war-path.” 

Now it was that I understood the situation 
right well, and realized that we had but wasted 
our time in remaining at Logstown. 

The Delawares were divided against themselves, 


356 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

and the younger braves of the nation would accept 
— probably already had accepted — General de St. 
Pierre’s terms. 

However, so great was my anxiety regarding 
Master McQuire, that I gave this last matter but 
little thought at the time. Unless it had been 
agreed upon that another party was coming in 
very shortly, the trader would be put to the tor- 
ture within a few days, perhaps hours, and I was 
resolved to make one effort at liberating the poor 
fellow even though it should cost me my life. 

When our visitor departed, and I had repeated 
to Master Gist the subject of his talk, the planter 
said as he rose to his feet : 

‘‘We must see Half -King at once. Punning 
Deer, you shall act as interpreter. Surely the 
sachem can save the poor fellow’s life.” 

The young Delaware shook his head despond- 
ently, as he said slowly : 

“ I will go with you to Half -King ; but it 
would be better to first ask if he is willing to see 
you. He can do nothing for the prisoner now 
that the young braves have decided on his tor- 
ture.” 

“ Go then at once to the sachem, and tell him 
that I, who have always been his very good friend, 
would speak with him now regarding McQuire.” 


THE PRISONER. - 357 

Running Deer set off at once, and I made bold 
to say to Master Gist : 

“ It is in my mind that Half-King is powerless 
now there are so many who favor the French. If 
Master McQuire is to be saved, we must do 
it, with or without Running Deer, as he shall 
say.” 

The planter looked at me as if thinking I had 
taken leave of my senses, and well might he be- 
lieve so, for to rescue a prisoner after he had been 
brought into the village was as wild a scheme as 
could have been proposed. It would be necessary 
to set ourselves against every brave, every squaw 
and even the children, while they all, most likely, 
would be on guard against us, suspecting that 
something of the kind might be attempted. 

‘‘It cannot be done,” Master Gist said with a 
long-drawn sigh after many moments of silence. 

“Then I will take the chances of dying with 
him,” I added, grown courageous through sheer 
desperation. “ I would not care to live and have 
it said against me that I stood idly by while a 
comrade was put to the torture.” 

The planter leaned forward and took my hand 
in his, looking me full in the eye while I might 
have counted ten, after which he said with em- 
phasis ; 


358 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

‘^Then we shall leave our scalps here, John' 
Davidson, for I’m not the coward to allow you to 
make such a sacrifice alone.” 

Then we fell silent, as men will when death 
stares them in the face, and not less than half an 
hour passed before Eunning Deer came back, his 
face so cold and impassive that I could read on it 
neither hope nor fear. 

We waited for him to speak ; but he was more 
the Indian than ordinarily, and remained silent 
as he sat by my side until I, losing patience, asked 
sharply : 

Is it well to keep friends in suspense when a 
comrade of theirs stands near the stake ? ” 

‘^The trader has treated me as he would a 
white comrade, and because of that my heart is 
as heavy as yours,” Dunning Deer said sadly, 
and I touched his hand that he might know I re- 
gretted having spoken harshly. 

Am I to see Half-King ? ” Master Gist asked, 
and the young Delaware shook his head, as he 
replied : 

The sachem can give you no aid ; his young 
braves will fight with the French, and refuse long- 
er to listen to his voice. If you go to his tepee, 
or he comes here, it may be thought that you 
would save the trader, who will be bound to the 


THE PRISONER. 


359 

stake On the night after to-morrow, and a closer 
watch might be kept. ” 

‘‘ McQuire has always been friendly with the 
Delawares ; is it not possible to buy his life ? I 
will give anything in my possession.’’ 

The young braves have determined that he 
shall be tortured because Colonel Washington 
saved the French prisoners.” 

That looks much as if they counted on taking 
to the war-path against both nations,” Master 
Gist said in perplexity. 

‘‘It will be done that the English of Yirginia 
may understand the Delawares claim the life of 
every prisoner,” Eunning Deer replied gravely, 
and Master Gist, unable longer to restrain his 
temper, broke out into a torrent of threats against 
all Indians, but particularly those of Logstown. 

Eunning Deer waited until the planter’s anger 
had subsided somewhat, and then he said quietly : 

“It is Half-King’s advice that we leave the 
village to-morrow morning. He will get promises 
from the young braves that we shall not be 
interfered with while going from here to the 
fort.” 

“ And that is all the sachem, who claims to 
have so much influence in the Delaware nation, 
can do ! ” Master Gist cried in a rage. “We are 


360 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

advised to go away before the work of torture 
begins ! ” 

‘‘We can do nothing for the trader by remain- 
ing here, and ’’ 

“ John Davidson and I will stand by him to the 
last ! ” 

“Then will there be three at the stake instead 
of one. Can you crush all who are here ? How 
long could you stand before fifty Delawares ? By 
leaving the village we might have such help as 
Half-King could give us.” 

Both Master Gist and I were puzzled by Eun- 
ning Deer’s words, which seemed so full of con- 
tradictions, and I asked petulantly : 

“What do you mean? Why not speak with 
a single tongue ? You say it is the sachem’s 
advice that we should leave the village, and in 
the same breath declare that he can only help us 
if we go. I do not understand such double talk ! ” 

“ If you leave the village is it certain you must 
keep on to the fort ? Do you not know how to 
turn back on the trail ? When you are gone the 
young braves will no longer think you might in- 
terfere to save the prisoner. If I set out for the 
fort, who shall say that I gave aid to the trader 
against my own tribe ? If we are not here, will 
any one think Half -King would raise his hand to 


THE PRISONER. 361 

save the white man when his voice as sachem 
was powerless ? ” 

It was only with difficulty that I restrained 
myself from crying aloud with joy ! Now it was 
that I understood why Half-King had given such 
advice, and that the sachem had promised to 
aid us ! 

Surely the clouds which had been so dark a few 
moments before, were now bright, and I said to 
myself that Master McQuire’s life was safe, unless, 
perchance, he was again made prisoner after hav- 
ing escaped. 

‘‘ You’re a brave lad, Eunning Deer, and if the 
time ever comes when I can do Half-King a good 
turn, he can count on me,” Master Gist said 
feelingly, and the young Delaware’s face lighted 
up as I had never seen it but once before, which 
was when he had been counted in with us as a 
member of our independent company. 

Did you see the prisoner ? ” I asked after a 
time, and the lad replied quietly : 

‘‘I found the chance to warn him that friends 
might be near at hand to-morrow night.” 

‘‘ Good for you, lad. Its a big thing you’ve 
done for McQuire, because its going straight 
against your own people, with the exception of the 
sachem. I’m not much given to promises ; but 


362 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

this I’ll say and make it good when the time 
comes : If we succeed in getting McQuire out of 
this hole, the authorities of Virginia colony shall 
give you a commission in the next company that 
is raised for defense.” 

‘‘I shall do what I may without thought of 
gifts. He is my comrade even as he is yours, and 
had Half-King given me no hope, I would have 
stood by you two when you fought for him to the 
death.” 

After this we did not spend much time in ask- 
ing and answering questions. It was necessary 
we lay our plans with such exactness that Half- 
King might know where we were every moment 
of time after leaving the village until we had 
returned for the rescue, and in doing so Kunning 
Deer was the leader. 

He it was who proposed that we publicly make 
known at once to the sachem that it was our 
purpose to return to the fort, asking that his 
people agree to leave us unmolested until we had 
joined our company. Then, if they chose to look 
upon us as enemies, it would be every man for 
himself. 

We did as the young Delaware had said, walk- 
ing slowly through the village to Half-King’s 
tepee that all might see us, and on the way it 


THE PRISONER. 


363 


was necessary to pass within a dozen feet of where 
Master McQuire stood bound hand and foot to a 
tree. 

The trader looked at us listlessly, as if we were 
nothing to him ; but I fancied his eyelids quiv- 
ered slightly when Master Gist looked earnestly 
at him. 

It goes without saying that he knew full well 
we would risk our lives to save him, even though 
Eunning Deer had not given warning, and he 
must have understood why we treated him as a 
stranger in whose fate we were indifferent. 

Half-King received us in his usual fashion ; 
listened gravely when Master Gist made known 
what we would do, speaking through Eunning 
Deer, and finally replied that he would sum- 
mon his young men to the council lodge that 
night. 

This ended the interview, at which were half a 
dozen spectators, and we went back to our tepee, 
where Eunning Deer described minutely the 
course he would have us take. 

We would travel no less than five miles in the 
direction of the fort, setting off early next morn- 
ing, and then spend the remainder of the day 
making certain that spies had not been sent out 
on our trail. At sunset we were to begin the 


364 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

return march, traveling slowly, and halting half 
a mile from the village until two hours after 
midnight, when the final effort was to be made. 

Just how we should set about compassing his 
escape it would be impossible to decide until the 
decisive moment arrived, and then we must act 
according to circumstances. 

Kunning Deer believed, however, that we might 
be able to creep up to the prisoner without mak- 
ing any detour, cut his bonds, and, when the cir- 
culation of blood had been restored to his cramped 
limbs, set off in flight. 

It was a simple plan ; but the slightest thing 
would upset it at the expense of our own lives. 
The breaking of a twig beneath our feet ; the 
barking of a cur, or a watchful sentinel, would 
be sufficient to doom us to the stake by the side of 
Master McQuire, unless we were minded to fight 
until death laid us low. 

And now to tell in very few words that which 
we did toward setting Master McQuire free. 

The council was held as Half-King had prom- 
ised, and the tribe agreed that we should be 
allowed to depart in peace, every Delaware pres- 
ent promising not to raise his hand against us 
until we had arrived at Fort Necessity. After 
that we were to look upon them as enemies unless 


THE PRISONER. 365 

the pipe had been again smoked with the English 
of Virginia. 

On that night we slept as much as possible, in 
order to be fresh for what lay before us ; but my 
mind often went out in sympathy to the unfortu- 
nate man who was bound to the tree of doom 
where every ill-natured squaw or vicious child 
might give him pain. 

Half an hour after sunrise next morning we 
three stood in front of Half-King’s tepee, and 
when the old sachem came out we bade him good- 
by in a respectful fashion. 

All the occupants of the village must have seen 
us set off in the direction of Fort Necessity, and 
we traveled as if it was our intention to get there 
at the earliest possible moment, until arriving at 
the place where Eunning Deer believed it would 
be safe to make the halt. 

Then, hiding among the foliage, we waited si- 
lent and motionless, two hours or more to make 
certain no one was following our trail. 

Satisfied as to this point, we scouted through 
the forest first in one direction and then another, 
until it seemed positive we were absolutely 
alone. 

If any had been sent to spy upon us, we must 
have known it before this time, and there was 


366 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


little chance those now in the village would leave 
until after the torture of the victim. 

We talked hut little as we remained hidden in 
the thicket waiting until the day should come to 
a close. There was nothing more to be said so 
far as concerned the venture we were about to 
make, and it is always dangerous to wag one’s 
tongue when there is a possibility that enemies 
may approach. 

At sunset Eunning Deer gave the signal for 
return, by rising to his feet, and we followed him 
slowly aud in silence two hours or more, when 
he came to a halt in a small grove of oak trees 
which I knew was situate less than half a mile 
from the village. 

Now was come the most trying time of all for 
us. We had nothing to do save think of the pos- 
sibilities before us, and this occupation was so 
gloomy that I grew cowardly to such an extent 
that it seemed as if I never could force myself to 
make the desperate venture. 

However, when the moment came that Eun- 
ning Deer was ready to begin the task, I forgot 
my fears, and would have moved forward alone, 
but that the young Delaware held me hack in 
order to whisper : 

‘‘ One can do the work better than three ; tliere 


THE PRISONER. 


367 


will be less danger of giving an alarm if I go 
alone, while you two stand ready to come to my 
assistance if 1 am discovered. It was Half-King’s 
advice that I go, therefore remain here five min- 
utes.” 

Having thus spoken, he was off before we could 
make any protest, and Master Gist whispered in 
my ear : 

It is too late now to object ; we cannot afford 
to squabble when it may cost McQuire his life. 
We will do as the lad says, and I’m thinking he’ll 
finish the job better than could either you or I.” 

It was not to my liking, this leaving Eunning 
Deer to brave all the danger ; but how could I 
prevent it ? I was resolved, however, that if he 
fell into trouble I would go to his assistance even 
though we might have effected the escape of Mas- 
ter McQuire. 

Unless I had known thoroughly well the coun- 
try in that vicinity, it would have been impossible 
to follow the young Delaware, so silently did he 
vanish into the darkness ; but every tree and 
bush was familiar to me, from having spent so 
many years of captivity around about, and I led 
Master Gist straight to that portion of the village 
from which we could have a view of the spot 
where we last saw Master McQuire. 


368 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Not the lightest sound broke the stillness ; it 
was as if nature herself was hushed until we could 
accomplish our work of mercy, and never the 
slightest breath of wind stirred the foliage. 

By straining my eyes I fancied it was possible 
to see something shadowy flit from one point to 
another, and then it seemed as if a second form 
came into view. I hoped these were Half-King 
and Running Deer, and at the same time feared 
they might be Indians on guard. 

As a matter of course. Master Gist and I both 
held our muskets ready for instant use. Running 
Deer’s weapon was slung over my back, he pre- 
ferring to do the work with no other arms than 
his knife. 

The suspense was terrible as we waited there in 
the darkness with every nerve strained to its ut- 
most tension, fearing and almost expecting each 
instant to hear those sounds which would tell 
that the young Delaware’s purpose had been dis- 
covered. 

It is not probable that we remained thus more 
then ten or fifteen minutes ; but it seemed to me 
as if fully two hours had elapsed since I last saw 
Running Deer, and then my heart leaped into my 
mouth, for it was possible to see two forms out- 
lined against the sky, coming directly toward us. 


THE PRISONER. 


369 


I clutched Master Gist’s arm to warn him that 
the first portion of the rescue had been accom- 
plished, and he laid his hand on mine in token 
that he had seen the same, which caused the blood 
to bound in my veins until the skin was near to 
bursting. 

Slowly the shadowy forms advanced until they 
stood directly in front of me — Master McQuire and 
Eunning Deer. 

I gave to the Delaware his weapon, and then 
in single file we retraced our steps to the edge of 
the forest, neither daring to draw a long breath 
lest the sound should be sufficient to raise an 
alarm. 

Five, ten minutes, and we were so far clear of 
the village that we could afford to move with less 
caution, therefore might make greater speed, and 
Eunning Deer, acting as guide, led us through 
the forest at a pace which taxed all my energies 
to maintain. 

Master McQuire had been freed from the clutches 
of those fiends who would have found greatest 
pleasure in listening to his dying cries of pain ; 
but now if we were to save the lives of all our 
party, rapid progress must be made. 

Even under the most favorable circumstances 
we could not hope the escape would remain a se- 
24 


370 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

cret more than two hours — it might be discovered 
in five minutes, and when the fact was known 
half an hundred human bloodhounds would be 
in hot pursuit. 

Speed, continued speed was our only salvation. 
We could not afford a single moment in which to 
learn what lay before us. Kegardless of the many 
enemies in our path, we must press on, ever on 
until within the walls of Fort Necessity. 

In case the Ottawas were scouting in the em- 
ploy of the French near about the fortification, 
disaster must follow, unless we could beat them 
back ; but we would take our chances of ever}^ 
danger so that we remained in advance of those 
who were certain to come from Logstown. 

Of a verity our lives hung in the balance, and 
the lightest breath might cause the end, for us, 
of this world. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

THE SURRENDER. 

Many times before that night on which we fled 
from Logstown did I believe my endurance had 
been tried to the point of breaking, but of a 
verity I never came so near sinking to the earth 
from sheer exhaustion, as before Running Deer 
slackened pace in order to permit of our regaining 
breath. 

From the moment when the Delaware left 
Master Gist and me to seek out the prisoner, 
until we had pushed on through the forest at the 
top of our speed for a full three hours, not 
a word was spoken. Running Deer led the way. 
Master McQuire followed him, then came Master 
Gist, and I brought up the rear. 

The day had dawned when the Delaware 
Anally halted, and I was so nearly spent that I 
threw myself headlong on the earth to prevent a 
fall- 

The other members of the party were not in much 
better condition. Each was breathing heavily, 
and speech then would have been impossible. 

371 


372 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 


Eunning Deer had halted on the bank of a tiny 
stream, and although our throats were parched, 
it was necessary to wait a few moments until our 
tired lungs were rested, before we could drink. 

No more than ten minutes were spent here, and 
then the Delaware said, his being the first voice 
that had been heard among us for more than 
three hours : 

We have not a moment to lose. The people 
of my tribe have been in pursuit for sometime, 
and there are swift runners among them — runners 
who can hold the pace six or eight hours without 
halting. ” 

Push ahead, lad, whenever you choose, and 
we’ll make shift to keep at your heels,” Master 
Gist replied. ‘‘ You’ve managed this escape thus 
far, and we’ll look upon you as the leader until 
we’re safe, or have fought our last fight.” 

There were no words of praise which could have 
given the Delaware so much pleasure as this 
willingness in a man of Master Gist’s station to 
acknowledge him as leader. It was ever in the 
lad’s mind that the white men looked upon him 
as an inferior, and any recognition of his abilities 
caused great happiness. 

We rinsed our mouths with water once more, 
taking care not to drink so much as would grat- 


THE SURRENDER. 


373 


ify thirst, else would we have lagged in the race 
whereof the stakes were the lives of all, and then 
Running Deer set the pace once more. 

Under ordinary circumstances each of us would 
have believed that by no more certain way could 
we compass our own death than in running head- 
long through the forest without giving heed to 
what might lay before us ; but now we thought 
not of the possibilities because of what we knew 
beyond a peradventure was behind us. 

An hour later we halted once more to drink a 
single mouthful of water, to wet our faces, and 
to make certain our muskets were ready for use. 
Then again we pressed madly forward toward 
Fort Necessity where, and only where, we could 
hope to find a refuge. 

Twenty times during that day did I say to my- 
self that it was absolutely impossible for me to 
take another step in either direction, and as often I 
forced myself forward, until finally I ran like one 
in a dream, without consciousness of exertion. 

When the sun had set we all were come to an 
end of our strength ; it was necessary that we 
seek some place of shelter, or fall headlong a few 
moments later. 

Running Deer halted near a dense thicket of 
small pine bushes, among which a dozen men 


374 : WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

might lay in hiding without fear of being dis- 
covered, unless one followed the trail, and as 
we entered the temporary refuge the brave lad, 
weary and exhausted even as were we, went back 
a dozen yards or more to cover with greatest 
caution our footprints. 

Once in the midst of the pines we laid on the 
ground, too weary even to partake of the small 
amount of food we had brought with us from 
Logstown, and I was asleep before Eunning Deer 
returned from having covered the trail. 

The story of this day’s travel is the same as 
that of the succeeding days until we were hap- 
pily come to Fort E'ecessity. It is true we did 
not constantly press on so rapidly, for that would 
have been impossible ; but we made good use 
of every second of time, halting during the hours 
of daylight only so long as was absolutely neces- 
sary to regain our breath. 

After the darkness of night came, we crawled 
into some thicket, and slept soundly until near to 
daybreak, when the exhausting journey was con- 
tinued. 

God permitted that we should never once be 
hindered in our flight by Ottawa scouts or French 
soldiers, although I doubt not there were many 
of both near our path. 


THE SURRENDER. 


375 


Not until the second night did Master McQuire 
explain how he happened to he taken prisoner, 
and so weary was I that my eyes closed in slumber 
before he came to an end of his story. 

However, I heard it in detail many times after- 
ward, therefore can set it down here. 

It seems our colonel knew, while we were loiter- 
ing at Logstown, that a large number of Dela- 
wares had gone over to the French, and he argued 
that we must have the same information. Since 
the decision of the tribe had apparently been 
made, he was at a loss to understand why we 
lingered, and grew anxious regarding our safety. 

It seemed to him probable we must have left 
Logstown when the first party of Delaware braves 
went into the French fort, and he feared some 
misfortune had overtaken us. 

Discussing the matter with Master McQuire, 
the colonel expressed the wish that he had some 
one under his command who could be sent in 
search of us, whereupon the trader volunteered 
his services. 

He proposed to begin the search at Logstown, 
and was making his way toward that village 
when the Delawares came upon him. Eecogniz- 
ing several members of the party, and believing 
they were friendly, he did not attempt to defend 


376 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

himself, although it would have profited him little 
had he done so, since there were near thirty of the 
enemy, all well armed with French weapons. 

Master McQuire declared again and again that 
when he saw us at Logstown he ceased to consider 
his situation very desperate, because to his mind 
it was positive we would undertake a rescue what- 
ever the odds against us. That which caused 
him the most fear was the possibility that the Dela- 
wares would put him to torture on the same 
night of their arrival in the village, before we had 
had time to lay any plans. 

It was during one of these night-halts that I 
learned how true to the English Half-King was, 
when we set about Master McQuire’s release. He 
had been on the watch for Kunning Deer, and 
when the lad arrived, went with him to where the 
prisoner was bound to the tree, aiding in releasing 
the. poor fellow, and in rubbing his cramped limbs 
until it was possible for him to use them. 

Had the sachem been discovered in thus work- 
ing to defeat his own people, a most shameful 
death would have been his, therefore did he take 
even greater chances in the rescue than either of 
us, save Eunning Deer. Even now, if the Dela- 
wares should have reason to believe that the lad 
had any hand in Master McQuire’s escape, he 


THE SURRENDER. 


377 


would be shunned by every member of the tribe, 
or, what is more probable, be hunted down like a 
dog. 

Well, there is no good reason why I should go 
over all these might have beens.” It is enough 
if I say that we finally came to Fort Necessity, 
and the reception which was given us by all, from 
the commander to the lowest camp follower, was 
well calculated to turn a fellow’s head, causing 
him to believe himself of more importance than 
really was the case. 

Before there had been time in which to recover 
from the fatigues of the long, terrible flight, we 
came to understand that we were arrived none 
too soon. 

The scouts had reported that a large number of 
Ottawa Indians were approaching the fort, and 
Colonel Washington himself told us he believed 
an attack would be made within the next eight 
and forty hours. 

‘^And are we prepared for it?” Master Gist 
made bold to ask. 

‘‘ Not fully. Since the retreat from your plan- 
tation our people have worked steadily strengthen- 
ing the defenses. As you must have seen, it is 
nearly stockaded, and the earth-works are now 
surmounted by logs. It is in much better con- 


378 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

dition than when you left ; but we have no more 
than four hundred men to oppose a force of a 
thousand, which is the number I believe will be 
sent against us.” 

If we could have persuaded the Delawares to 
support us ! ” Master Gist exclaimed, and our 
colonel, thinking the planter was reproaching 
himself with not having had better success at 
Logstown, said in a most friendly tone : 

“ There is no reason why you should take it to 
heart because the Delaware nation is divided, 
some on the side of the French, while others hold 
neutral ; but none fighting for the English of 
Virginia. I believe a goodly number of them had 
already joined the enemy when you turned back, 
in which case there was no possibility of succeed- 
ing.” 

Having said this the colonel left us to go the 
rounds of the fort, as was his custom every hour, 
so I had been told, and Master Gist said with a 
grimace : 

‘^It appears that we arrived in time to be of 
service, and by loitering at Logstown we saved 
McQuire’s life, therefore we can’t rightly say the 
days were wasted. Since the morning of the at- 
tack on Captain Jumonville’s force, our men have 
done no more than march to and fro, throwing 


THE SURRENDER. 


379 


up earth-works and abandoning them ; but once 
we are in camp all hands begin to make ready for 
a battle.” 

‘‘Surely you are not grumbling because we 
have come in good time, Master Gist ? ” I asked 
laughingly, whereupon the planter set about fur- 
bishing up his weapons, which was much the 
same as if he had said that the situation was by 
no means disagreeable to him. 

Once more I must cut my story short by refrain- 
ing from setting down the conversation we had 
with this man or that during the evening, and 
say that within fifteen hours after our arrival the 
enemy was upon us. 

On the morning after we gained the shelter of 
the fort a heavy storm of rain set in, beginning 
just before daybreak, and within two hours the 
trenches were filled with water, while the entire 
inclosure was converted into a field of mud. 

There was no thought in the mind even of the 
most cautious that the enemy would make an 
attack on this day, despite the fact that a large 
body of French and Indians was known to be near 
at hand, and I heard more than one man claim it 
was sheer foolishness to station sentinels while 
the rain was falling in torrents, because no Indian 
could be persuaded to venture out from cover. 


380 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

Neither member of our independent company 
had been assigned to guard duty that day, proba- 
bly because the officers thought it would be well 
we had an opportunity to celebrate our reunion, 
and all hands were lounging under the hut, wffiich 
had been put in fairly good condition by Steward 
and Jenkins, when a man staggered through the 
northern gateway, the blood running down his 
face from a wound on the side of his head faster 
than the heavy downpour of rain could wash it 
away. 

In a twinkling we comrades were surrounding 
him, eager at the same time to be of assistance, 
and to learn what had happened. 

Fortunately the man was an old hand at Indian 
fighting, and retained his senses sufficiently to tell 
us a clear story. 

He had been stationed as sentinel at the edge of 
the forest, about eighty yards from the northerly 
side of the fortification, and shortly after sunrise 
became convinced that hostile Indians were trying 
to creep up on him. 

The sentinel’s courage was good, and instead of 
retreating to the fort to call for assistance, he set 
about learning the truth for himself by advancing 
yet further into the thicket. 

He succeeded in discovering beyond question 


THE SURRENDER. 


381 


that a large number of Ottawas were near at hand, 
and at about the same time this information was 
gained, received a wound in the head. That he 
succeeded in effecting a retreat shows that he had 
both skill and pluck, which were sorely needed by 
us, else we in the fort might have remained in 
ignorance that an attack was imminent until the 
enemy was actually upon us. 

While some of us carried the poor fellow to his 
quarters, for his strength gave way immediately 
he was in safety, Master Gist posted to Colonel 
Washington, and ten minutes later forty men had 
been told off, our company among the number, to 
scour the forest for information as to the where- 
abouts of the enemy. 

Our orders were to avoid contact with the French 
scouts if possible ; save it might be to save his 
own life, no man was to discharge his weapon ; 
and all were to return to the fort immediately the 
desired information had been gained. 

The task set us was not a long one, although 
attended with considerable danger, for we came 
upon scouting parties of the Ottawas before we 
had fairly entered the forest, which was sixty 
yards distant from the fort, and in half an hour 
knew beyond a peradventure that a large force of 
Frenchmen were drawn up about four miles away. 


382 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

There could no longer be any doubt but that an 
attack was to be made during the day, despite the 
heavy storm of rain, which showed no signs 
of abating, and when we returned to the forti- 
fication our commander ordered the men into 
line. 

Then we were marched outside the stockade 
to a stretch of level ground, just beyond the 
northerly line of breast-works, to await the first 
assault. 

I was separated from my comrades for the time 
being, therefore had no one with whom to consult 
as to this last move. It seemed to me very strange 
that we should march out of the fort, which had 
cost so much time and labor to build, at the very 
moment when its shelter was most needed. 

I could only explain the reason for the ma- 
neuver on the grounds that our trenches were 
filled with water, the level portion of the inclosure 
a perfect quagmire, and the logs which topped the 
embankments streaming with water, rendering it 
difficult for the men to keep their powder dry 
while loading the weapons. 

On the outside, where our force had been drawn 
up in line of battle, we were not much better off, 
so far as protecting our muskets from moisture ; 
but there was, perhaps, a trifle of advantage in 


THE SURRENDER. 


383 


the situation, and Colonel Washington never lost 
sight of any chance in his favor. 

Well, we remained in line, drenched to the skin, 
during two long hours, and not until then did the 
enemy show signs of life. 

Suddenly we heard musketry firing within cover 
of the forest ; hut never a glimpse of white man 
or red did we have. 

Many of those who stood near me believed a 
force of English had come up from somewhere, 
and were engaged with the enemy ; but no one 
could say how friends of ours might be able to 
arrive in that vicinity, and I felt convinced that it 
was but a trick of the enemy to draw us further 
away from the fortification. 

We remained in line, and the firing increased. 
It could be plainly seen that some of our men, 
those unused to warfare, were growing very nerv- 
ous, therefore our commander marched to and 
fro urging us to stand steady, discharging no gun 
until an enemy could be seen with sufficient dis- 
tinctness to permit of our taking aim. 

As the minutes passed, however, it was apparent 
that Colonel Washington’s words failed of effect. 
A goodly number of our people were growing so 
nervous that there was imminent danger they 
would break away despite positive orders to the 


384 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

contrary, and rush into the forest under the belief 
that a body of English was there in need of assist- 
ance. 

Once that had been done, it is safe to say every 
man who gained the cover of the trees would 
have been cut down, and I was growing thor- 
oughly frightened when the command was given 
for us to return to the fort. 

Then it was that I sought out my comrades, 
and found them woefully dispirited and uneasy. 

“What have you seen?” I demanded of Mas- 
ter Gist, and he replied in anger : 

“ No more than must have come to your notice. 
Two-thirds of this force know as much about 
fighting as they do of making petticoats ! It was 
only with great difficulty the colonel prevented 
them from falling victims to the poor trick of 
the Frenchmen, and I believe of a verity had he 
tried to hold us in line five minutes longer, a full 
half of these so-called soldiers would have gone 
streaming off into the forest where their scalps 
could have been taken without much bother. If 
they cannot be depended upon at a time when 
the veriest coward should be able to stand firm, 
what will be the result after the battle has 
begun ? ” 

He was but giving words to the fears in my 


THE SURRENDER. 


385 


own mind, and that the remainder of our com- 
pany had indulged in similar speculations, I knew 
because never one of them spoke. 

We were disheartened, dismayed, afraid ! Not 
because of the enemy ; but on account of our 
companions. 

That which is so unpleasant for me in the telling 
cannot be cheerful reading, and I am minded to 
give the events of this disastrous day in very few 
words. 

After we had re-entered the fort the enemy ap- 
peared in small numbers at the edge of the woods, 
and from that time until sunset we were engaged 
as sharpshooters, picking off a Frenchman or an 
Indian whenever we had the opportunity, while 
they on their side did us the same favor. 

It was not a battle, but a trial of skill during 
which we suffered considerably ; but, as I hope, 
most sincerely, we succeeded in inflicting a 
greater loss upon the foe. 

Just how many of our people were killed or 
wounded during the day I am unable to say with 
accuracy. Master Gist and McQuire, however, 
set it down as reasonably certain that our loss did 
not exceed twenty wounded and four killed. I 
personally saw more than twelve of the enemy 
fall dead under our fire, therefore it is safe to say 
25 


386 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

that not less than twice that number were dis- 
abled. 

The storm continued without intermission ; our 
clothing was saturated with water and covered 
with mud. Many of the men lost the powder in 
their horns through falling into the trenches, 
which resembled small brooks, and, take it all in 
all, our people were jaded, half-drowned, and 
harassed until all were prepared for that which 
followed. 

Our company saw very little of each other 
during that mournful day. Colonel Washington 
gave each of us much individual duty to perform, 
and it was not until near to eight o’clock in the 
evening that we all met at our hut. 

Then Steward had prepared supper, and wel- 
come indeed was food at that time, for we had not 
broken our fast ; but it was destined that we 
should remain hungry a while longer. 

The report of several muskets, followed by loud 
shouts, brought us out of the hut and to the 
northerly line of breast-works in a twinkling, we 
of the independent company arriving there just 
as the sentinels had succeeded in understanding 
that a messenger was come from the French com- 
mander with a communication for Colonel Wash- 
ington. 


THE SURRENDER. 


387 


After some delay the newcomer was ordered to 
be given admittance after having been blindfolded 
lest he should be able to take note of our condi- 
tion, and Master Gist turned away from the 
breast-works with a long-drawn sigh. 

‘‘What is it I asked, although I should not 
have been at a loss to answer my own question. 

“A summons to surrender,” he replied mourn- 
fully, and Eunning Deer cried scornfully : 

“ It is but a waste of time to come on that busi- 
ness ! ” 

“ I’m afraid that’s where you are making a 
mistake, lad,” Master Gist said as he led the 
way back to our hut. “ I’m of the opinion that 
our commander can do no less than accept the 
terms, if they are in any way generous.” 

“ Would you give up the fort ? ” Eunning Deer 
asked in astonishment, looking around at the 
traders and myself to learn what we thought of 
such an idea. 

“Ay, lad, and it seems to me that our colonel 
can do no less.” 

“ But four hundred men should be able to hold 
this fort against a thousand Frenchmen ! ” the 
Delaware exclaimed. 

“True for you! Even three hundred men 
could hold it ; but you have seen this day that we 


388 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

have mighty poor material for fighting. I ques- 
tion if we could muster an hundred who would 
stand their ground against a determined assault, 
and however brave those hundred might he, they 
must work at a disadvantage in this sea of mud 
and water.” 

There is no reason why I should attempt to set 
down all that we said among ourselves while the 
messenger was with Colonel Washington, and 
later, when the details were being discussed by 
some of our officers who had been sent to the 
French lines. 

This much we learned next morning : 

The enemy was under command of Colonel De 
Yilliers, a brother of that Captain Jumonville 
whom we had killed ; but not of the same name 
because of a title held by one or the other. There 
were nine hundred white men and three hundred 
Indians in the enemy’s force, and the terms offered 
us were that Colonel Washington’s command 
might march out of the fort with the honors of 
war ; that is to say, with drums beating and colors 
flying. We were to be allowed to take with us 
all baggage and military stores, except the can- 
non, which were to be destroyed. 

Well, before daylight it was told us that the 
terms had been accepted by our commander under 


THE SUREENDER. 


389 


advice of his officers. Fort Necessity was to be 
surrendered, and all that portion of our work had 
been a failure. 

We afterward came to know that our colonel 
had been forced to agree that the prisoners taken 
at the time Captain Jumonville was killed, should 
be delivered to the French at the earliest possible 
moment. 

I have no stomach, even if I had the time, 
which I have not because of what is doing here 
at Valley Forge, to tell how we marched out beat- 
en ; how the Ottawas made an attack upon us, 
nor how we were forced to destroy nearly all we 
counted on taking with us, therefore I will set 
down an account written by one of our officers 
after his arrival in Williamsburg : 

“The next morning, accordingly. Colonel Wash- 
ington and the men marched out of the forlorn 
fortress with the honors of war, bearing with us 
our regimental colors, but leaving behind a large 
flag too cumbrous to be transported. Scarcely 
had we begun the march, however, when in de- 
fiance of the terms of capitulation, we were beset 
by a large body of Indians, allies to the French, 
who began plundering the baggage, and commit- 
ting other irregularities. 

“ Seeing that the French did not, or could not, 


390 WHEN WASI-imuTON SEKVED THE KING. 


prevent them, and that all the baggage which 
could not be transported on the shoulders of the 
troops would fall into the hands of the savages, 
for the horses had been killed or lost during the 
retreat from Gist’s plantation. Colonel Washing- 
ton ordered it to be destroyed, as well as the artil- 
lery, gunpowder and other military stores. This 
detained us until ten o’clock, when once more we 
set out on our melancholy march. 

‘‘We had not proceeded above a mile or two 
when two or three of the wounded men were re- 
ported to be missing. The colonel immediately 
detached Master Gist and his companions who 
had joined us as scouts, back in quest of them, 
and continued on until three miles from Fort 
Necessity, where we encamped for the night. Be- 
fore morning we were rejoined by the stragglers. 

“ During the following day’s march the troops 
seemed jaded and disheartened ; they were en- 
cumbered and delayed by the wounded ; provisions 
were scanty, and we had seventy weary miles to 
accomplish before we could meet with supplies. 
The colonel, however, encouraged them by his own 
steadfast and cheerful demeanor, and by sharing 
all their toils and privations, until at length he 
conducted us in safety to Will’s Creek, where we 
found ample provisions in the military magazines. 


THE SURRENDER. 


391 


Leaving the force there to recover their strength, 
the commander, with two of the officers, pushed 
on to Williamsburg to make our military report. 

‘‘ A copy of the capitulation was subsequently 
laid before the Virginia House of Burgesses, with 
explanations. Hotv/ithstanding the unfortunate 
result of the campaign, the conduct of our colonel 
and his officers was properly appreciated, and we 
received a vote of thanks for our bravery and gal- 
lant defense of the country. About eleven hun- 
dred dollars were voted to he distributed among 
the privates who had been in action.” 

****** 

Of all that independent company who attempted 
so much and accomplished so little, Eunning Deer 
and I only are here at Valley Forge. We both 
hold commissions as lieutenants ; but are count- 
ing on forcing ourselves up several grades before 
the close of this coming season’s work. 

It was when I had come nearly to a close of 
this story, poor as it is in the telling and painful 
though it he in results, that news came to us of 
the probable evacuation of Philadelphia within 
a very short time, on hearing which General, the 
Baron Steuben, advised me to bring my labors to 
a speedy close. 

That I have followed his advice can be seen. 


392 WHEN WASHINGTON SERVED THE KING. 

From our point of view, referring to Eunning 
Deer and myself, it has been a happy idea, this 
writing down what we did in the wilderness and 
around Fort Necessity, for the work has occupied 
our thoughts when otherwise we should have real- 
ized more keenly how much we were suffering 
from cold and hunger. 

General, the Baron Steuben, has had the brav- 
ery to carry the sheets to General Washington 
as fast as I have delivered them to him, and I am 
told that the commander-in-chief gives some of 
us greater praise than I have been willing to 
state, lest I be accused of vanity. 

Now it is announced on good authority that 
Sir Henry Clinton is on the eve of evacuating 
Philadelphia. Our army, in much better condi- 
tion than when we came into these winter quar- 
ters, is under marching orders, ready to set out 
at a moment’s notice, and I dare venture to pre- 
dict that before the redcoats succeed in reaching 
New York, for it is there they must go, we will 
have given his majesty, George the Third, such 
an account of Continental soldiers as shall cause 
him to ask himself if he had better not give up 
all hope of holding as slaves people who are 
determined to* be free. 


THE END. 


A. L. Burt’s Catalogue of Books for 
Young People by Popular Writers, 52- 
58 Duane Street, New York 

BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

Joe’s Luck: A Boy’s Adventures in California. By 

Horatio Algbr, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

The story is chock fall of stirring incidents, while the amusing situ- 
ations are furnished by Joshua Bickford, from Pumpkin Hollow, and the 
fellow who modestly styles himself the “Rip-tail Roarer, from Pike Co., 
Missouri.” Mr. Alger never writes a poor book, and “Joe’s Luck” is cer- 
tainly one of his best. 

Tom the Bootblack; or. The Road to Success. By 

Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the Bootblack. He was not at all 
ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to better 
himself. The lad started for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. Mr. 
Grey, the uncle, did not hesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad. The 
plan failed, and Gilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a com- 
fortable fortune. This is one of Mr. Alger’s best stories. 

Dan the Newsboy. By Horatio Alger^ Jr. 12mo, 

cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Dan Mordaunt and his mother live In a poor tenement, and the lad Is 
pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling papers in the streets of New 
York. A little heiress of six years is confided to the care of the Mor- 
daunts. The child is kidnapped and Dan tracks the child to the house 
where she Is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the little 
heiress is so delighted with Dan’s courage and many good qualities 
that she adopts him as her heir. 

Tony the Hero: A Brave Boy’s Adventure with a 

Tramp. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 
Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control of 
Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal. After much abuse Tony runs away 
and gets a job as stable boy In a country hotel. Tony is heir to a 
large estate. Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws 
him down a deep well. Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided 
for him, and by a brave act, a rich friend secures his rights and Tony 
Is prosperous. A very entertaining book. 

The Errand Boy; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. 

By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth illustrated, price $1.00. 

The career of “The Errand Boy” embraces the city adventures of a 
smart country lad. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper 
named Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for the hero’s 
subsequent troubles. A retired merchant In New York secures him the 
situation of errand boy, and thereafter stands as his friend. 

Tom Temple’s Career. By Horatio Alger^ Jr. 12mo, 

cloth, illustrated, price SI. 00. 

Tom Temple is a bright, self-reliant lad. He leaves Plympton village 
to seek w’ork in New York, whence he undertakes an Important mission 
to California. Some of his adventures in the far west are so startling that 
the reader will scarcely close the book until the last page shall have been 
reached. The tale is written in Mr. Alger’s most fascinating style. 


For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the 

publisher. A* L. BUET, S2-5S Duane Street, Kew York, 


2 A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 


BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 

12ino, cloth, illustrated, price SI. 00. 

Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely determines to make a living for 
himself and his foster-sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains a 
situation as cash boy in a dry goods store. He renders a service to a 
wealthy old gentleman who takes a fancy to the lad, and thereafter 
helps the lad to gain success and fortune. 

Tom Thatcher’s Fortune. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 

12mo, cloth, illustrated, price Sl-00. 

Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, unselfish boy. He supports his 
mother and sister on meagre wages earned as a shoe-pegger in John 
Simpson’s factory. Tom is discharged from the factory and starts over- 
land for California. He meets with many adventures. The story is told 
In a way which has made Mr. Alger’s name a household word in so many 
homes. 

The Train Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, 

cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother 
and sister by selling books and papers on the Chicago and Milwaukee 
Railroad. He detects a young man in the act of picking the pocket of a 
young lady. In a railway accident many passengers are killed, but Paul 
Is fortunate enough to assist a Chicago merchant, who out of gratitude 
takes him into his employ. Paul succeeds with tact and judgment and 
is well started on the road to business prominence. 

Hark Mason’s Victory. The Trials and Triumphs of 

a Telegraph Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jb. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 

$ 1 . 00 . 

Mark Mason, the telegraph boy, was a sturdy, honest lad, who plucklly 
won his way to success by his honest manly efforts under many diffi- 
culties. This story will please the very large class of boys who regard 
Mr. Alger as a favorite author. 

A Debt of Honor. The Story of Gerald Lane’s Success 

in the Far West. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 

$ 1 . 00 . 

The story of Gerald Lane and the account of the many trials and dis- 
appointments which he passed through befoi he attained success, will 
Interest all boys who have read the previous stories of this delightful 
author. 

Ben Bruce. Scenes in the Life of a Bowery Newsboy. 

By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Ben Bruce was a brave, manly, generous boy. The story of his efforts, 
and many seeming failures and disappointments, and his final success, are 
most Interesting to all readers. The tale is written in Mr. Alger’s 
most fascinating style. 

The Castaways; or. On the Florida Beefs. By James 

Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

This tale smacks of the salt sea. Prom the moment that the Sea 
Queen leaves lower New York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off 
the coast of Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind 
through her rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to 
the leeward. The adventures of Ben Clark, the hero of the storv and 
Jake the cook, cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young 
people Mr. Otis is a prime favorite. 

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the 
publisher, A. L. BUET, 52-68 Duane Street, New York. 


A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOE YOUNG PEOPLE. 8 


BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

Wrecked on Spider Island; or. How Hed Kogers Found 

the Treasure. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Ned Rogers, a “down-east” plucky lad ships as cabin boy to earn 
a livelihood. Ned is marooned on Spider Island, and while there dis- 
covers a wreck submerged in the sand, and finds a considerable amount 
of treasure. The capture of the treasure and the incidents of the 
voyage serve to make as entertaining a story of sea-life as the most 
captious boy could desire. 

The Search for the Silver City : A Tale of Adventure in 

Yucatan. By Jambs Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Two lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steam 
yacht Day Dream for a cruise to the tropics. The yacht is destroyed 
by fire, and then the boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They 
hear of the wonderful Silver City, of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians, 
and with the heip of a faithful Indian ally carry off a number of the 
golden images from the temples. Pursued with relentless vigor at last 
their escape is effected in an astonishing manner. The story is so 
full of exciting Incidents that the reader is quite carried away with 
the novelty and realism of the narrative. 

A Eunaway Brig; or. An Accidental Cruise. By 

James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

This is a sea tale, and the reader can look out upon the wide shimmer- 
ing sea as it flashes back the sunlight, and imagine himself afloat with 
Harry Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim Libby and that old shell-back. Bob 
Brace, on the brig Bonita. The boys discover a mysterious document 
which enables them to find a buried treasure. They are stranded on 
an island and at last are rescued with the treasure. The boys are sure 
to be fascin^ed with this entertaining story. 

The Treasure Finders: A Bofs Adventures in 

Nicaragua. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their father’s 
Indigo plantation to visit the wonderful ruins of an ancient city. The 
boys eagerly explore the temples of an extinct race and discover three 
golden images cunningly hidden away. They escape with the greatest 
difficulty. Eventually they reach safety with their golden prizes. We 
doubt if there ever was written a more entertaining story than “The 
Treasure Finders.” 

Jack, the Hunchback. A Story of the Coast of Maine. 

By James Otis. Price $1.00. 

This is the story of a little hunchback who lived on Cape Elizabeth, 
on the coast of Maine. His trials and successes are most interesting. 
Prom first to last nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us 
along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but never loses 
Its force. 

With Washington at Monmouth: A Story of Three 

Philadelphia Boys. By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine 

edges, illustrated, price $1.50. 

Three Philadelphia lads assist the American spies and make regular 
and frequent visits to Valley Forge in the Winter while the British 
occupied the city. The story abounds with pictures of Colonial life 
skillfully drawn, and the glimpses of Washington’s soldiers which are 
given shown that the work has not been hastily done, or without con- 
siderable study. The story is wholesome and patriotic In tone, as are 
all of Mr. Otis’ works. 


For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by th© 
publisher, A. L. SUET, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. 


4 A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, 


BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

With Lafayette at Yorktown: A Story of How Two 

Boys Joined the Continental Army. By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental 
cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. 

Two lads from Portm.uth, N. H., attempt to enlist In the Colonial 
Army, and are given employment as spies. There is no lack of exciting 
incidents which the youthful reader craves, but it is healthful excite- 
ment brimming with facts which every boy should be familiar with, 
and while the reader is following the adventures of Ben Jaffrays and 
Ned Allen he is acquiring a fund of historical lore which will remain 
in his memory long after that which he has memorized from text- 
books has been forgotten. 

At the Siege of Havana. Being the Experiences of 

Three Boys Serving under Israel Putnam in 1762. By James Otis. 12mo, 
ornamental cloth, olivine edges, illustrated, price $1.50. 

“At the Siege of Havana” deals with that portion of the Island’s 
history when the English king captured the capital, thanks to the 
assistance given by the troops from New England, led in part by Col. 
Israel Putnam. 

The principal characters are Darius Lunt, the lad who, represented as 
telling the story, and his comrades, Robert Clement and Nicholas 
Vallet. Colonel Putnam also figures to considerable extent, necessarily. 
In the tale, and the whole forms one of the most readable stories founded on 
historical facts. 

The Defense of Fort Henry. A Story of Wheeling 

Creek in 1777. By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine edges, 
illustrated, price $1.50. 

Nowhere in the history of our country can be found more heroic or 
thrilling Incidents than in the story of those brave men and women 
who founded the settlement of Wheeling in the Colony of Virginia. The 
recital of what Elizabeth Zane did is in itself as heroic a story as can 
be Imagined. The wondrous bravery displayed b.v Major McCulloch 
and his gallant comrades, the sufferings of the colonists and their sacrifice 
of blood and life, -stir the blood of old as well as young readers. 

The Capture of the Laughing Mary. A Story of Three 

New York Boys in 1776. By James Otis. 12mo, ornamental cloth, olivine 
edges, price $1.50. 

“During the British occupancy of New York, at the outbreak of the 
Revolution, a Yankee lad hears of the plot to take General Washington’s 
person, and calls in two companions to assist the patriot cause. They 
do some astonishing things, and, incidentally, lay the wa.v for an 
American navy later, by the exploit which gives its name to the 
work. Mr. Otis’ books are too well known to require any particular 
commendation to the young.” — Evening Post. 

With Warren at Bunker Hill. A Story of the Siege of 

Boston. By James Otis. 12mo, ornametnal cloth, olivine edges, illus- 
trated, price $1 .50. 

“This Is a tale of the siege of Boston, which opens on the day after 
the doings at Lexington and Concord, with a description of home life 
in Boston, introduces the reader to the British camp at Charlestown, 
shows Gen. Warren at home, describes what a bo.v thought of the 
battle of Bunker Hill, and closes with the raising of the siege. The 
three heroes, George Wentworth, Ben Scarlett and an old ropemaker, 
incur the enmity of a young Tory, who causes them many adventures 
the boys will like to read.” — Detroit Free Press. 


For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the 
publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. 


A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, 


5 


BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

With the Swamp Fox. The Story of General Marion’s 

Spies. By James Otis. 12ino, cloth, illustrated, price ^1.00. 

This story deals with General Francis Marion’s heroic struggle in the 
Carolinas. General Marion’s arrival to take command of these brave 
men and rough riders is pictured as a boy might have seen it, and 
although the story is devoted to what the lads did, the Swamp Fox 
is ever present in the mind of the reader. 

On the Kentucky Frontier. A Story of the Fighting 

Pioneers of the West. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1. 
In the history of our country there is no more thrilling story than 
that of the work done on the Mississippi river by a handful of frontiers- 
men. Mr. Otis takes the reader on that famous expedition from the 
arrival of Major Clarke’s force at Corn Island, until Kaskaskia was 
captured. He relates that part of Simon Kenton’s life history which 
is not usually touched upon either by the historian or the story teller. 
This is one of the most entertaining books for young people which has 
been published. 

Sarah Dillard’s Eide. A Story of South Carolina in 

in 1780. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

“^U book deals with the Carolinas in 1780, giving a wealth of detail of 
the Mountain Men who struggled so valiantly against the king’s troops. 
Major Ferguson is the prominent British officer of the story, which is 
told as though coming from a youth who experienced these adventures. 
In this way the famous ride of Sarah Dillard is brought out as an 
incident of the plot.” — Boston Journal. 

A Tory Plot. A Story of the Attempt to Kill General 

Washington. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

“ *A Tory Plot’ is the story of two lads who overhear something 
of the plot originated during the Revolution by Gov. Tryon to capture 
or murder Washington. They communicate their knowledge to Gen. 
Putnam and are commissioned by him to play the role of detectives 
In the matter. They do so, and meet with many adventures and hair- 
breadth escapes. The boys are, of course, mythical, but they serve to en- 
able the author to put into very attractive shape much valuable knowledge 
concerning one phase of the Revolution.” — Pittsburgh Times. 

A Traitor’s Escape. A Story of the Attempt to Seize 

Benedict Arnold, By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 
‘‘This is a tale with stirring scenes depicted in each chapter, bringing 
clearly before the mind the glorious deeds of the early settlers in this 
country. In an historical work dealing with this country’s past, no 
plot can hold the attention closer than this one, which describes the 
attempt and partial success of Benedict Arnold’s escape to New York, 
where he remained as the guest of Sir Henry Clinton. All those who 
actually figured in the arrest of the traitor, as well as Gen. Washing- 
ton, are included as characters.” — Albany Union. 

A Cruise with Paul Jones. A Story of Kaval Warfare 

in 1776. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

‘‘This story takes up that portion of Paul Jones’ adventurous life 
when he was hovering off the British coast, watching for an oppor- 
tunity to strike the enemy a blow. It deals more particularly with 
his descent upon Whitehaven, the seizure of Lady Selkirk’s plate, and 
the famous battle with the Drake. The boy who figures in the tale 
Is one who was taken from a derelict by Paul Jones shortly after this 
particular cruise was begun.” — Chicago Inter-Ocean. 


For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price By tha 
publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-53 Duane Street, New York. 


6 A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

Corporal Lige’s Recruit. A Story of Crown Point and 

Ticonderoga, By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1,00. 

“In ‘Corporal Lige’s Recruit/ Mr. Otis tells the amusing story of an 
old soldier, proud of his record, who had served the king in '58. and who 
takes the lad, Isaac Rice, as his ‘personal recruit.' The lad acquits 
himself superbly. Col. Ethan Allen ‘in the name of God and the con- 
tinental congress/ Infuses much martial spirit into the narrative, which 
will arouse the keenest interest as it proceeds. Crown Point. Ticon- 
deroga, Benedict Arnold and numerous other famous historical names 
appear in this dramatic tale." — Boston Globe. 

Morgan, the Jersey Spy. A Story of the Siege of York- 

town in 1781. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

“The two lads who are utilized by the author to emphasize the details 
of the work done during that memorable time were real boys who lived 
on the banks of the York river, and who aided the Jersey spy in his 
dangerous occupation. In the guise of fishermen the lads visit York- 
town, are suspected of being spies, and put under arrest. Morgan risks 
his life to save them. The final escape, the thrilling encounter with a 
squad of red coats, when they are exposed equally to the bullets of 
friends and foes, told in a masterly fashion, makes of this volume one 
of the most entertaining books of the year." — Inter-Ocean. 

The Young Scout: The Story of a West Point Lieu- 

tenant. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

The crafty Apache chief Geronimo but a few years ago was the 
most terrible scourge of the southwest border. The author has woven. 
In a tale of thrilling interest, all the Incidents of Geronimo’s last raid. 
The hero is Lieutenant James Decker, a recent graduate of West Point. 
Ambitious to distinguish himself the young man takes many a desperate 
chance against the enemy and on more than one occasion narrowly 
escapes with his life. In our opinion Mr. Ellis is the best writer of 
Indian stories now before the public. 

Adrift in the Wilds: The Adventures of Two Ship- 

wrecked Boys. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Elwood Brandon and Howard Lawrence are en route for San Fran- 
cisco. Off the coast of California the steamer takes fire. The two boys 
reach the shore with several of the passengers. Young Brandon be- 
comes separated from his party and is captured by hostile Indians, 
but is afterwards rescued. This is a very entertaining narrative of 
Southern California. 

A Young Hero; or, Fighting to Win. By Edward S. 

Elus. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

This story tells how a valuable solid silver service was stolen from 
the Misses Perkinpine, two very old and simple minded ladies. Fred 
Sheldon, the hero of this story, undertakes to discover the thieves and 
have them arrested. After much time spent In detective work, he 
succeeds in discovering the silver plate and winning the reward. The 
story is told in Mr. Ellis’ most fascinating style. Every boy will be 
glad to read this delightful book. 

lost in the Rockies. A Story ctf Adventure in the 

Rocky Mountains. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1. 

Incident succeeds incident, and adventure is piled upon adventure, 
and at the end the reader, be he boy or man, will have experienced 
breathless enjoyment In this romantic story describing many adventures in 
the Rockies and among the Indians. 

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by th* 
publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. 


A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 7 


BOOKS FOR BOYS, 

A Jaunt Through Java: The Story of a Journey to 

the Sacred Mountain. By Edward S. Elus. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, 
price $1.00. 

The interest of this story is found in the thrilling adventures of 
two cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their trip acrosss the island 
of Java, from Samarang to the Sacred Mountain. In a land where the 
Royal Bengal tiger, the rhinoceros, and other fierce beasts are to be 
met with, it is but natural that the heroes of this book should have a 
lively experience. There is not a dull page in the book. 

The Boy Patriot. A Story of Jack, the Young Friend 

of Washington. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, olivine edges, illus- 
trated, price $1.50. 

“There are adventures of all kinds for the hero and his friends, whose 
pluck and Ingenuity in extricating themselves from awkward fixes are 
always equal to the occasion. It is an excellent story full of honest, 
manly, patriotic efforts on the part of the hero. A very vivid description 
of the battle of Trenton is also found in this story.” — Journal of 
Education. 

A Yankee Lad’s Pluck. How Bert Larkin Saved his 

Father’s Ranch in Porto Rico. By Wm. P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illus- 
trated, price $1.00. 

“Bert Larkin, the hero of the story, early excites our admiration, 
and is altogether a fine character such as boys will delight in, whilst 
the story of his numerous adventures is very graphically told. This 
will, we think, prove one of the most popular boys’ books this season.”— 
Gazette. 

A Brave Defense. A Story of the Massacre at Fort 

Griswold in 1781. By William P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price 

$ 1 . 00 . 

Perhaps no more gallant fight against fearful odds took place during 
the Revolutionary War than that at Fort Griswold, Groton Heights, Conn., 
in 1781. The boys are real boys who were actually on the muster rolls, 
either at Fort Trumbull on the New London side, or of Fort Griswold on 
the Groton side of the Thames. The youthful reader who follows Halsey 
Sanford and Levi Dart and Tom Malleson, and their equally brave com- 
rades, through their thrilling adventures will be learning something more 
than historical facts; they will be imbibing lessons of fidelity, of bravery, 
of heroism, and of manliness, which must prove serviceable in the arena 
of life. 

The Young Minuteman. A Story of the Capture of 

General Prescott in 1777. By William P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, 
price $1,00. 

This story is based upon actual events which occurred during the British 
occupation of the waters of Narragansett Bay. Darius Wale and William 
Northrop belong tq “the coast patrol.” The story is a strong one, dealing 
only with actual events. There is, however, no lack of thrilling adventure, 
and every lad who Is fortunate enough to obtain the book will find not 
only that his historical knowledge is Increased, but that his own patriotism 
and love of country are deepened. 

For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. 

By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by S. J, Solomon. 12mo, cloth, olivine 
edges, price $1.00. 

“Mr. Henty’s graphic prose picture of the hopeless Jewish resistance 
to Roman sway adds another leaf to his record of the famous wars of 
the world. The book is one of Mr. Henty’s cleverest efforts.” — Graphio, 

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the 

publisher, A. L. BURT, 62-58 Duane Street, New York. 


8 A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 





BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

Eoy Gilbert’s Search : A Tale of the Great Lakes. By 

Wm. P. Chipman. 12ino, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

A deep mystery hangs over the parentage of Roy Gilbert. He arranges 
with two schoolmates to make a tour of the Great Lakes on a steam 
launch. The three boys visit many points of interest on the lakes. 
Afterwards the lads rescue an elderly gentleman and a lady from a sink- 
ing yacht. Later on the boys narrowly escape with their lives. The 
hero is a manly, self-reliant boy, whose adventures will be followed 
with interest. 

The Slate Picker: The Story of a Boy’s Life in the 

Coal Mines. By Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 
This is a story of a boy’s life in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. 
Ben Burton, the hero, had a hard road to travel, but by grit and energy 
he advanced step by step until he found himself called upon to fill the 
position of chief engineer of the Kohinoor Coal Company. This is a 
book of extreme interest to every boy reader. 

The Boy Cruisers; or, Paddling in Florida. By St. 

George Rathbornk. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00 
Andrew George and Rowland Carter start on a canoe trip along the 
Gulf coast, from Key West to Tampa, Florida. Their first adventure 
is with a pair of rascals who steal their boats. Next they run into 
a gale In the Gulf. After that they have a lively time with alli- 
gators and Andrew gets into trouble with a band of Seminole Indians. 
Mr. Rathborne knows just how to interest the boys, and lads who are 
in search of a rare treat will do well to read this entertaining story. 

Captured by Zulus; A Story of Trapping in Africa. 

By Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

This story details the adventures of two lads, Dick Elsworth and Bob 
Harvey, in the wilds of South Africa. By stratagem the Zulus capture 
Dick and Bob and take them to their principal kraal or village. The 
lads escape death by dig ing their way out of the prison hut by night. 
They are pursued, but the Zulus finally give up pursuit. Mr. Prentice 
tells exactly how wild-beast collectors secure specimens on their native 
stamping grounds, and these descriptions make very entertaining reading. 

Tom the Ready; or, Tip from the Lowest. By Ran- 

DOLPH Hill. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

This is a dramatic narrative of the unaided rise of a fearless, ambi- 
tious boy from the lowest round of fortune’s ladder to wealth and the 
governorship of his native State. Tom Seacomb begins life with a pur- 
pose, and eventually overcomes those who oppose him. How he manages 
to wdn the battle is told by Mr. Hill in a masterful way that thrills 
the reader and holds his attention and sympathy to the end. 

Captain Kidd’s Gold: The True Story of an Adven- 

tiirous Sailor Boy. By James Franklin Fitts. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, 
price $1.00. 

There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very idea 
of buried treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of swarthy Portu- 
guese and Spanish rascals, with black beards and gleaming eyes. There 
were many famous sea rovers, but none more celebrated than Capt. Kidd. 
Paul Jones Garry inherits a document which locates a considerable 
treasure buried by two of Kidd’s crew. The hero of this book is an 
ambitious, persevering lad, of salt-water New England ancestry, and his 
efforts to reach the island and secure the money form one of the most 
absorbing tales for our youth that has come from the press. 

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by tho 
publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Diiane Street, New York,. 


LB 0 '10 


1U 


A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


9 


BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

The Boy Explorers: The Adventures of Two Boys in 

Alaska. By Harry Prentice. l2mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00, 

Two boys, Raymond and Spencer Manning, travel to Alaska to Join 
their father in search of their uncle. On their arrival at Sitka the boys 
with an Indian guide set oS across the mountains. The trip is fraught 
with perils that test the lads’ courage to the utmost. All through their 
exciting adventures the iads demonstrate what can be accomplished by 
pluck and resolution, and their experience makes one of the most in- 
teresting tales ever written. 

The Island Treasure; or, Harry DarreFs Fortune. 

By Frank H. Converse. ISmo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Harry Darrel, having received a nautical training on a school-ship, is 
bent on going to sea. A runaway horse changes his prospects. Harry 
saves Dr. Gregg from drowning and afterward becomes sailing-master 
of a sloop yacht. Mr. Converse’s stories possess a charm of their own < 
which is appreciated by lads who delight in good healthy tales that 
smack of salt water. 

Guy Harris: The Eunaway. By Harry Castlemon. 

12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

Guy Harris lived in a small city on the shore of one of the Great 
Lakes. He is persuaded to go to sea, and gets a glimpse of the rough 
side of life in a sailor’s boarding house. He ships on a vessel and for 
five months leads a hard life. The book will interest boys generally 
on account of its graphic style. This is one of Castlemon’s most attract- 
ive stories. 

Julian Mortimer: A Brave Boy’s Struggle for Home 

and Fortune. By Harry Castlemon. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1. 

The scene of the story lies west of the Mississippi River, in the days 
when emigrants made their perilous way across the great plains to the 
land of gold. There is an attack upon the wagon train by a large party 
of Indians. Our hero is a ?ad of uncommon nerve and pluck. Befriended 
by a stalwart trapper, a real rough diamond, our hero achieves the most 
happy results. 

By Pike and Dyke : A Tale of the Eise of the Dutch 

Republic. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by Maynard Brown. 
12mo, cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. 

“Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted with the 
book, while the rest who only care for adventure will be students in spite 
of themselves.’’ — St. James’s Gazette. 

St. George for England: A Tale of Cressy and Poi- 
tiers. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, 
cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. 

“A story of very great interest for boys. In his own forcible style 
the author has endeavored to show that determination and enthusiasm 
can accomplish marvellous results; and that courage is generally accom- 
panied by magnanimity and gentleness.’’ — Pall Mall Gazette. 

Captain Bayley’s Heir: A Tale of the Gold Fields of 

California. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by H. M. Paget. 12mo, 
cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. 

“Mr. Henty is careful to mingle Instruction with entertainment; and 
the humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl, the West- 
minster dustman, Dickens himself could hardly have excelled.’’ — Chris- 
tian Leader. 

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the 

publisher, A. L. BURT, 62-58 Duane Street, New York. 


10 A. L. BURT^S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


BOOKS FOR BOYS. 

Budd Boyd’s Triumph; or, The Boy Firm of Fox Island. 

By William P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1.00. 

The scene of this story is laid on the upper part of Narragansett Bay, 
and the leading incidents have a strong salt-water flavor. The two 
boys, Budd Boyd and Judd Floyd, being ambitious and clear sighted, 
form a partnership to catch and sell fish. Budd’s pluck and good sense 
carry him through many troubles. In following the career of the boy 
firm of Boyd & Floyd, the youthful reader will find a useful lesson— 
that industry and perseverance are bound to lead to ultimate success. 

Lost in the Canyon: Sam Willett’s Adventures on the 

Great Colorado. By Alfred R. Calhoun. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, price $1, 
This story hinges on a fortune left to Sam Willett, the hero, and the 
fact that it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad dies before 
he shall have reached his majority. The story of his father’s peril and 
of Sam’s desperate trip down the great canyon on a raft, and how the 
party finally escape from their perils is described in a graphic Style 
that stamps Mr. Calhoun as a master of his art. 

Captured by Apes: The Wonderful Adventures of a 

Young Animal Trainer. By Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, illustrated, 
price $1.00. 

Philip Garland, a young animal collector and trainer, sets sail for 
Eastern seas in quest of a new stock of living curiosities. The vessel 
is wrecked off the coast of Borneo, and young Garland is cast ashore 
on a small Island, and captured by the apes that overrun the place. 
Very novel indeed is the way by which the young man escapes death. 
Mr. Prentice is a writer of undoubted skill. 

Under Drake’s Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main. 

By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, 
olivine edges, price TphOO. 

“There is not a dull chapter, nor. Indeed, a dull page In the book; but 
the author has so carefully worked up his subject that the exciting 
deeds of his heroes are never incongruous nor absurd.” — Observer, 

By Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti War. By 

G. A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, olivine 
edges, price $1.00. 

The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the details 
of the Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a witness. 

“Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys’ stories. *By 
Sheer Pluck* will be eagerly read.” — Atheneeum. 

With Lee in Virginia : A Story of the American Civil 

War. By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, 
cloth, olivine edges, price $1.00. 

“One of the best stories for lads which Mr. Henty has yet written. 
The picture is full of life and color, and the stirring and romantic inci- 
dents are skillfully blended with the personal Interest and charm of the 
story. ’ ’ — Standard. 

By England’s Aid; or, The Freeing of the Netherlands 

(1585-1604). By G. A. Henty. With illustrations by Alfred Pearse. i2moi 
cloth, olivine' edges, price $1.00. 

“It Is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with stirring 
Incident and exciting adventure, and the color of the era and of the 
scene are finely reproduced. The illustrations add to Its attractiveness.” — 
Boston Gazette. 


For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the 

publisher, A. L. BURT, 52-58 Duane Street, New York. 





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